Meta Authorisation for Betting Ads on Facebook and Instagram in Czechia (2026)
While in the past the rules could be enforced with some delay, the situation in 2026 is different. Due to European legislation, in particular the Digital Services Act (DSA), platforms such as Meta bear greater responsibility for illegal content. The company has therefore introduced a unified authorisation system that minimises opportunities to circumvent the rules.
Key takeaways
Article contents
Meta tightens regulation: The situation in 2026
The reason is clear: Meta is under pressure from regulators in the EU and the US to prevent the promotion of illegal operators and to protect vulnerable persons and minors. The aim is to ensure that only legally established entities with a valid licence in the country they target can advertise on Facebook and Instagram.
For you as an advertiser, this leads to a clear conclusion: when advertising gambling, you cannot do without a valid permit from Meta (so-called “Onboarding”).
Legislation in the background: Why did Meta introduce these rules?
To understand why authorisation is so complex, you need to see the broader context. Gambling regulation in the EU is not harmonised—each country has its own rules, alongside general regulations such as the GDPR.
In the Czech Republic, the key regulation is Act No. 186/2016 Coll., on Gambling, which provides that gambling games for Czech players may be operated only by entities holding a valid basic licence issued by the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic. Gambling advertising is then regulated by Act No. 40/1995 Coll., on Advertising Regulation, which sets strict boundaries for content and targeting.
As a platform, Meta shifts responsibility to advertisers. You guarantee that you have the right to advertise in the given country (you are a licence holder or an authorised partner). Meta will verify your documentation and will monitor compliance with the rules.
Which types of gambling must be authorised—and which do not?
Meta defines online gambling and real money gaming (RMG) as any product or service where both the stake and the winnings have monetary value. Authorisation is required for online betting, casinos, lotteries, poker and fantasy sports with a monetary stake.
Meta allows advertising so-called social casinos and free-to-play games without prior authorisation, provided these games do not allow users to win money. However, if a social casino in any way allows the purchase of in-game currency or simulates gambling mechanisms, you must still comply with the targeting rules.
If you provide only general news and analysis without links to betting operators, you typically do not fall under gambling regulation. However, if you operate as an affiliate partner, the rules for gambling advertising apply to you.
The attorneys at ARROWS advokátní kancelář focus on the legal qualification of these services and can assess whether your business model falls under the need for RMG authorisation, or whether it is standard commercial activity.
How does Meta’s authorisation process work?
The process of obtaining permission (Online Real Money Gaming Onboarding) is formalised and manual. First, you must have an active Business Manager and an ad account with no prior serious policy violations. The application is submitted via a specific Meta support form for RMG, where you must provide the ad account ID, URLs and target countries.
You must then submit legal documentation. For the Czech Republic, this means providing a valid licence issued by the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic. If you are an intermediary, you will often need to document a contractual relationship with a licensed operator.
Meta specialists verify whether the licence is valid and whether the operator is listed on the so-called Whitelist (List of Legal Operators). After approval, you must technically ensure that ads are not delivered to persons under 18. The attorneys at ARROWS advokátní kancelář help clients prepare documentation so that it is clear and beyond dispute for Meta’s compliance teams.
Licence verification: How does Meta check your documents?
Meta does not rely only on the PDF you submit, but performs cross-checks against public registers. In the Czech Republic, the primary source is the List of Legal Gambling Operators maintained by the Ministry of Finance.
If you are not on this list (or the operator you promote is not), Meta will reject the application. For betting advisory services, the rule is that if you promote gambling, you must not promote so-called illegal operators listed on the Blacklist of the Czech Ministry of Finance. Promoting illegal gambling is an administrative offence in the Czech Republic with high penalties, and Meta removes such content immediately.
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Risks and sanctions |
How ARROWS can help (consultation@arws.cz) |
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Application rejected due to formal errors: Loss of time and inability to advertise during the key season. |
Preparation of documentation: We ensure the application includes all requirements under current Meta standards and Czech law. |
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Account blocked (ban): Loss of data, pixels, and ad account history. Recovery is very difficult. |
Prevention and audit: Our Prague-based attorneys will review your account and website before you submit the application to eliminate “red flags”. |
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Sanctions from the Ministry of Finance: A fine for promoting illegal gambling can reach millions of Czech crowns. |
Legal check: We verify whether the entity you are promoting holds a valid licence in the Czech Republic and whether the advertising meets statutory requirements under Czech legislation. |
Impact of local law: the Czech Republic as an example
Although Meta is global, advertising targeted at the territory of the Czech Republic is governed by Czech law. Under Act No. 40/1995 Coll., gambling advertising must meet specific conditions, such as a ban on targeting persons under 18. It must also include a clear warning (“The Ministry of Finance warns: Participation in gambling may lead to addiction!”) and must not create the impression of an easy win.
You must comply with these rules directly in the creative and ad copy, because the absence of the statutory warning is one of the most common reasons for fines imposed by Czech authorities.
Identification and age: protecting minors
Meta has sophisticated tools for age targeting. When setting up a gambling campaign (Real Money Gambling), you must strictly select age 18+ in the Ad Set settings.
In addition, algorithms review the visuals – if the ad uses “childlike” elements (cartoon characters, fairy-tale motifs), it may be assessed as targeting children and rejected even if you have set 18+. If you attempted to circumvent the age restriction, Meta would automatically reject the ad based on content detection.
From the perspective of Czech law, it is also essential that the landing page itself does not allow registration or play by persons under 18.
Impact of GDPR on gambling advertising
Advertising targeting based on user behaviour (behavioural targeting) is subject to GDPR. Processing data indicating that a user engages in gambling may be considered processing of a special category of personal data (health/addiction-related data) or otherwise sensitive data.
Fines for GDPR breaches can reach up to EUR 20,000,000 or 4% of total worldwide annual turnover.
You must ensure that you have valid user consent (e.g., via a cookie banner) to use their data for Facebook remarketing. Meta requires transparency in this respect.
Influencers and affiliate partners
Rules for influencers are stricter in 2026. If an influencer promotes gambling, their content must be labelled as advertising and must comply with all legal restrictions applicable in the Czech Republic. The influencer should also not create the impression that gambling is a way to get rich.
If you hire an influencer, responsibility for the content primarily lies with the advertiser, but the publisher may also be sanctioned. The influencer agreement should clearly set out the obligation to comply with legal regulations.
How to prepare ad content that will be approved
Mandatory requirements for the Czech Republic include the warning “The Ministry of Finance warns: Participation in gambling may lead to addiction!”, which must be legible and clear, and the 18+ symbol.
Prohibited content includes promises of guaranteed winnings, claims that betting is an investment, or portraying gambling as a path to social recognition.
Meta rejects ads that are too aggressive, flashing, or “spammy”. We recommend clean, professional visuals focused on the brand or the entertainment aspect of the game, not on the prospect of money.
Monitoring and renewal of authorisation
Authorisation is not permanent. If your licence from the Ministry of Finance expires, Meta will find out (often automatically or during periodic review) and will stop your ads. It is your responsibility to keep documentation up to date and to inform Meta when your licence is renewed.
Risks and fines: What happens if you breach the rules?
The first risk is advertising without authorisation or promoting illegal gambling. Under the Czech Act on Advertising Regulation, the publisher faces a fine of up to CZK 2,000,000 and the advertiser up to CZK 5,000,000. If it involved operating an illegal gambling venue, the fine under the Czech Gambling Act can reach up to CZK 50,000,000.
Missing the Ministry of Finance warning in an ad is a common reason for fines imposed by Regional Trade Licensing Offices, which supervise advertising in the Czech Republic. Losing a Meta ad account can be devastating for a business, and restoring trust without legal argumentation is often unsuccessful.
ARROWS, a Prague-based law firm, is insured for liability for damages up to CZK 400,000,000, which provides our clients with a high level of certainty when addressing complex legal matters.
Conclusion
Obtaining Meta’s permission to advertise betting services requires precise alignment between your business, Czech legislation, and the platform’s global rules. This is a process where even a small mistake in documentation or ad settings can lead to rejection or fines.
If you want to advertise legally, effectively, and without the risk of being blocked, entrust this process to experts—our attorneys in Prague at ARROWS advokátní kancelář have experience with licensing and compliance for leading market players. Contact us at consultation@arws.cz to arrange a consultation.
Read also:
- AML/CFT Compliance for Online Marketplace Operators Under Czech and EU Law
- Handling Negative Online Reviews Under Czech and EU Law: Compliance Guide
- Digital Inspections and AI in 2026: New EU Compliance Duties for Firms
- Luxury Goods Imports: Origin Risks Under AML and Sanctions Compliance
- How ARROWS Uses AI to Enhance Legal Work While Ensuring Accountability
About the author
Disclaimer:
The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only and serves as a basic guide to the issue as of 2026. Although we strive for maximum accuracy, laws and their interpretation evolve over time. We are ARROWS Law Firm, a member of the Czech Bar Association (our supervisory authority), and for the maximum security of our clients, we are insured for professional liability with a limit of CZK 400,000,000. To verify the current wording of the regulations and their application to your specific situation, it is necessary to contact ARROWS Law Firm directly (consultation@arws.cz). We are not liable for any damages arising from the independent use of the information in this article without prior individual legal consultation.