Casino Portorož has lost its concession to operate Grand Casino Emona in Ljubljana after the venue remained closed for more than three months.
The Slovenian Government considered the withdrawal at its 17 September session, with its official agenda listing a proposed decision to revoke the concession for special games of chance at the gaming hall.
Casino Portorož informed the Ministry of Finance in May that it would cease operations at the venue from 22 May. The supervisory authority subsequently carried out an inspection, confirming that special games of chance had stopped and finding no irregularities.
Under Slovenia's Gaming Act, a concession can be withdrawn when a concessionaire suspends operations for more than three months. Casino Portorož did not reopen Grand Casino Emona within that period, resulting in the Government issuing a decision to withdraw the concession. It had previously been due to expire on 31 May 2028.
Grand Casino Emona opened on Ljubljana's Čopova Street in December 2025 and ceased operations approximately five months later. The gaming hall operated across two levels with 120 gaming positions and two electronic roulette installations. Casino Portorož has not publicly given a reason for the closure.
The withdrawal comes within Slovenia's concession-based gambling framework. Special games of chance can only be offered in casinos and gaming halls under a Government concession, with legislation allowing a maximum of 15 casino concessions and 45 gaming hall concessions nationwide. The Financial Administration oversees compliance with the Gaming Act.
Casino Portorož continues to operate Grand Casino Portorož, Grand Casino Lipica and Grand Casino Mons Ljubljana. Its properties recorded 266,659 visitors in 2025, up 14% year-on-year, while gaming gross revenue increased 18% to €23.7m. Net sales rose 15% to €23.3m ($27.5m), although net profit declined 18% to €560,300.
Slovenia's regulated gambling sector has also expanded its online presence. In June, Hacksaw Gaming entered the market through Casino.si, the online platform operated by Casino Portorož, following the platform's receipt of a Government concession in 2025.
Slovenia permits online gambling only for businesses holding qualifying concessions, with licensed online gaming systems subject to regulatory data-access requirements
