Slovak gambling regulator signs sixth university partnership memorandum

Slovakia's gambling regulator, ÚRHH, signed a memorandum of cooperation with the Faculty of Education at Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica on 26 October 2026, the sixth such agreement, completing its nationwide academic partnership network. The regulator announced the signing in Bratislava.

The regulator said the cooperation with Slovak universities is intended to strengthen the competences of future teachers, psychologists, social workers, theologians and other educational and specialist staff in prevention and awareness relating to new forms of gambling and the risks of the digital environment. Under the memorandum, students at the faculty will have access to lectures, workshops and discussions on gambling regulation, addiction prevention, the principles of responsible gambling and new forms of gambling online. The cooperation also covers specialist consultations on final theses, participation in scientific conferences and joint production of methodological materials for schools and professional practice.

Libuša Baranová, general director of ÚRHH, said the risks of the digital space and the loss of self-regulation affect everyone, not only the young generation. She thanked the Faculty of Education at Matej Bel University and the regulator's academic partners in Bratislava, Trnava, Nitra and Košice, saying they share the goal of building a network of trained teachers, psychologists and social workers as prevention ambassadors for digital games and gambling.

Lenka Rovňanová, dean of the Faculty of Education at Matej Bel University, said the faculty prepares people for helping professions and regards the cooperation as part of its social and professional responsibility. She said future teachers, educators, lecturers, psychologists, social workers and theologians need the ability to recognise gambling risks, to raise the subject sensitively and to support a person in seeking specialist help, with particular attention to children and adolescents. The partnership, she said, will connect students' preparation with specialist knowledge and the needs of practice.

The regulator said that with the memorandum signed with the Faculty of Education at Matej Bel University it has for now completed the building of its academic network. It said it proceeds from the conviction that systematic linking of the state regulator with universities preparing future specialists in education, psychology and social work is one of the most effective routes to strengthening prevention, responsible behaviour and the protection of individuals in the digital age. The announcement was published on 26 October 2026.