There’s an old time skit on the Saturday Night Live Show from the seventies when the disco craze ruled the radio and dance floors.  Comedians, Steve Martin and Dan Akyroyd, forever perpetuated the memory of two Czech gentlemen in during the disco scene, trying to pick up girls at a disco.  It was hilarious, and it was obvious that the two “Wild and Crazy Guys” got along quite well with each other. 

Well, if the betting shops in the Czech Republic and online gambling sites represented these two individuals, there would be little harmony between the two.  A recent decision handed down by the Finance Ministry to allow regulated online gambling in the has been received warmly by the general public, but somewhat icily by the operators of the betting shops in the Czech Republic.

It seems that the early returns are in, and that the citizens of the would rather play games of free roulette than engage in betting parlour activity.  Furthermore, it is apparent that the Czechs have chosen to utilize the services of online sportsbook gambling parlours, and they have given the cold shoulder to the traditional betting shops..

After turning down numerous requests to allow online betting, the Czech Republic Finance Ministry finally relented and permitted regulated online gambling as of January of 2009.  The legislation has been quite well received with the populace, not so with the operators of the betting shops.

It appears that many people enjoy playing games such as free online roulette and free online Caribbean poker in the comfort and privacy of their homes, and these choices are changing the landscape of gambling in the Czech Republic.  One of the largest betting companies in the Czech Republic, Tipsport, has been forced to close almost 30 locations because of the decreased business. 

While online gambling was heretofore unregulated in the Czech Republic, lawmakers feel that they can now exert the necessary controls over the online gambling industry.  For years, online gambling in the Czech Republic invited unscrupulous operators who preyed on the gamblers, who could be under the age of eighteen, since there were no controls over the industry.

Under the new law, online gamblers must be registered and must provide verification to the Czech authorities before they can access an online gambling portal.  No longer do Czech citizens have to gamble in bars and betting shops where the atmosphere is somewhat sleazy and unappealing, especially to women who are subject to masculine commentary.

Since the legislation has passed, Czechs can play free online roulette or online roulette for money at an online casino of their choice, and they are no longer at the beck and call of the betting shops.