Meta Authorisation for Betting Ads on Facebook and Instagram in Czechia (2026)

JUDr. Jakub Dohnal, Ph.D., LL.M.
JUDr. Jakub Dohnal, Ph.D., LL.M.
10.3.2026 | ARROWS law firm

Promoting betting and sports tipping on Facebook and Instagram is subject to strict rules. Meta requires a mandatory authorisation process, specific documentation, and full compliance with local laws in the Czech Republic. Without written permission, the platform will reject your campaign and you risk having your account blocked. In this article, you will learn how to manage the entire process correctly in 2026.

The photograph shows a specialist during a consultation regarding the authorisation of betting advertising.

Quick summary

  • Authorisation is mandatory: Meta strictly requires formal written permission for all ads for real-money betting, gambling and sports betting; without it, campaigns cannot be launched lawfully.
  • Documentation is extensive: You must submit valid gambling licences, proof of legal entity status, and demonstrate compliance with local regulations (e.g., under Czech law where applicable).
  • Compliance is not a one-off process: Approval applies only to specific URLs, ad accounts and jurisdictions; expansion into new markets requires a new assessment.

Meta tightens regulation: The situation in 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.

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.

Related questions on online gambling

1. Is a social casino without real money truly exempt from authorisation?
For purely entertainment apps with no possibility of winning money, written permission is generally not required, but advertising and targeting principles still apply, including 18+ targeting.

2. What happens if I start advertising without authorisation and Meta finds out?
Meta will reject the ad for violating the “Unacceptable Business Practices” or “Online Gambling and Gaming” policies. Repeated violations lead to a permanent ban of the Business Manager and associated accounts.

3. Do I need authorisation for each country separately?
Yes. Authorisation is granted for a specific URL and a specific “Targeting Territory”. Permission for Germany does not apply to the Czech Republic, and vice versa.

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.

Related questions on the authorisation process

1. How long does it take for Meta to approve my application?
Usually 5–14 days. It depends on the quality of the documentation and support workload.

2. What if Meta rejects my application?
You will receive a notice. A common reason is that the domain on the website does not contain mandatory information (links to responsible gambling, operator identification) or the licence does not correspond to the target country.

3. Can I advertise in several countries with one permission?
Not automatically. You must specify all countries in the application. If you add a country, you must submit a request to extend the permission (Add Territory).

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.

Risks and sanctions

How ARROWS can help (office@arws.cz)

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.

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”.

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 office@arws.cz to arrange a consultation.

FAQ – Most common legal questions

1. Can I advertise a betting tip without a licence from the Ministry of Finance?
If the service consists only of selling analyses (news/insight content) and is not linked to an affiliate commission system for a bookmaker, it is generally not considered a gambling game under Act No. 186/2016 Coll. However, if you promote a specific bookmaker, you become a distributor of gambling advertising in the Czech Republic and must comply with statutory rules (warning, ban on targeting children).

2. How long does it take Meta to approve my application?
The process usually takes 1 to 2 weeks if the documents are in order.

3. If Meta blocks my ad, what should I do?
Do not try to create new accounts (this leads to a permanent ban). You must file an appeal via the Account Quality centre and provide evidence that you meet the conditions. Legal representation at this stage significantly increases the chance of success.

4. Do I need a Czech licence even if I am a foreign operator?
Yes. To legally target Czech players, you need a basic licence issued by the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic (MF ČR). A licence from Malta or Curaçao is not recognised in the Czech Republic for the purposes of lawful operation.

5. Can I use the same ad in Czech and German?
Be careful. A Czech-language ad targeted at the Czech Republic must include the Czech statutory warning. A German-language ad for Germany must comply with German regulations (Glücksspielstaatsvertrag). We recommend separate creatives.

6. What happens if I advertise an illegal operator?
You expose yourself to the risk of a high fine for disseminating advertising for illegal gambling under Czech law (up to CZK 2 million for you as the publisher), website blocking by the Czech authorities, and permanent exclusion from Meta platforms.

Notice: The information contained in this article is of a general informational nature only and is intended to provide basic guidance on the topic in the Czech Republic. Although we take the utmost care to ensure accuracy, legal regulations and their interpretation evolve over time. To verify the current wording of the relevant regulations and their application to your specific situation, it is therefore necessary to contact ARROWS advokátní kancelář directly (office@arws.cz). We accept no liability for any damages or complications arising from the independent use of the information in this article without our prior individual legal consultation and professional assessment. Each case requires a tailored solution, so please do not hesitate to contact us.

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