When Wenceslas’ son was buried, the monks found the coffin smashed and Wenceslas lightly tapping on the stone. In another version, when the monks finally removed the slab they found the dead body of the count, but with a look of horror on his face, as though he had woken up only to die again. Prices at Showpark Market are generally competitive with other shopping venues in Prague, although they might be slightly higher due to its central location and the unique selection of products. Visitors are encouraged to browse and compare prices to ensure they are getting good value for their purchases. Yes, there are age restrictions at Showpark Prague, especially for the adult entertainment sections, where entry is limited to individuals who are of legal drinking age, usually 18 years and older. Valid identification, such as a passport or a national ID card, is required to confirm age upon entry.
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Blažek’s decision to accept the donation despite the donor’s checkered history has landed him in hot water. Opposition parties have been especially critical of his actions, with speculations of money laundering since he did not know the origin of the funds. Czech Republic Minister of Justice Pavel Blažek has resigned after reports emerged that the Justice Ministry collected Bitcoin donations from an ex-convict. The ability to control/manage the economy and regulate transactions (national and international) for trade to thrive within the rule of law. A state’s legal action and structures put in place to respond to organized crime. Profit-seeking individuals/entities who own/control a part of the legal economy free from the state, that collaborate with criminal actors.
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The body believes that a more comprehensive approach is needed to address the gaps in regulation, particularly in the online gambling sector, to protect consumers and ensure a fair and regulated market. The IPRH also highlighted how gambling reforms introduced in 2017 may have inadvertently fueled the growth of unlicensed operators. In contrast, the number of licensed venues has fallen to just 707, highlighting the growing challenge of combating illegal gambling. He recommends verifying market employees carefully, and to weed out law enforcement infiltration through barium meal tests. Czech beers vary in colour from pale (světlé), through amber (polotmavé) and dark (tmavé), to black (černé), and in strength from 3–9% ABV.
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Proposed EU rules prohibiting destruction of unsold stock obligate retailers to establish secondary-market channels or donation programmes, adding 15-25% to processing costs. Smaller brands face working-capital strain as inventories linger longer in reverse-logistics loops, retarding growth in the Czech Republic e-commerce market. Efficient market research enables businesses to optimize resource allocation, streamline operations, and prioritize investments based on data-driven insights, leading to cost savings and improved ROI. By identifying market opportunities, consumer trends, and unmet needs, our research empowers businesses to develop targeted marketing strategies, innovative product offerings, and effective pricing strategies that drive revenue growth.
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Our research identifies potential market risks, regulatory challenges, and industry-specific nuances in the Czech Republic. This proactive approach enables businesses to mitigate risks and navigate market complexities effectively. Lenka and I were born in the same year and the same country, and grew up in very similar surroundings. And I could see how she was trapped in a cycle of needing it in order to keep working and supporting her family. Meth is sometimes referred to as the “worker’s drug” in central Europe, because migrants putting in 18-hour shifts on building sites or cleaning houses rely on it for the energy to keep going.
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- Concurrently, Bozkov, Cuerpo and Havana Club led in terms of brand market share.
- The country collaborates with international and EU bodies to call for more transparency at the EU-level judicial system.
- There are fascinating historical tales wrapped up in the monuments, which only an expert guide can reveal.
- Prague’s nightlife and bar scene are very different from what they are during the day.
- Vilém Slavata managed to grab the window ledge, so Thurn’s men hit his hands until he let go.
The local woodcarver, František Rint, is responsible for designing the stunning pieces of art made out of human skeletons, most notably the chandelier and the Schwarzenberg coat of arms. This fantastic destination is just an hour train ride from Prague in Kunta Hora. The IPRH is urging the Czech government to introduce new reforms to tackle the increasing presence of unlicensed gambling operators. Jan Řehola, founder and director of IPRH, claims that unlicensed land-based gambling alone is costing the country up to CZK 2.1bn (€85m) annually. However, the IPRH has contested this figure, arguing that its own research suggests that at least 30 per cent of the gambling market is driven by unlicensed operators.
There are no specific economic sectors in the Czech Republic that appear to be significantly controlled by organized crime groups. However, there is some evidence of organized crime and corruption, particularly in relation to money laundering and property, with businesses acting as a front for illegal practices. Over the past two decades, the Czech Republic has eased the process of filing and paying taxes significantly, resulting in a reduction of time needed to accomplish these tasks. Efforts to counter money laundering in the Czech Republic continue to increase and the country is at relatively low to medium risk of money laundering and terrorist financing. As a policy priority, Czech authorities rely heavily on freezing and seizing assets that have been identified as related to money laundering. Transnational organized crime groups and public officials are significantly involved in money laundering.
International Trade And Logistics
Projects in smart infrastructure (grids, transportation, buildings), smart services (parking), and smart environment (air quality monitoring) are ongoing. And as law enforcement gained access to the vendors’ extensive buyer lists during the operation, thousands of customers around the world are also at risk of prosecution. Officers also found 850kg of drugs, including 43kg of MDMA and 10kg of LSD and ecstasy pills, and 117 firearms. B2C platforms hold the largest share, accounting for 72% of transactions in 2024, driven by extensive product assortments and fast fulfilment. The Czech Republic e-commerce market reached USD 8.03 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to USD 10.24 billion by 2030 at a 4.98% CAGR.
Leading U.S. exports to- and investments in- the Czech Republic include automotive parts and equipment, energy franchising, information technology, medical equipment, and scientific equipment. The United States and the former Czechoslovakia forged a close relationship just over 100 years ago, when America pledged its support for Czech independence. This friendship, which stalled during the period of Soviet influence, has re-emerged as the Czech Republic gained its political independence and joined the European Union. Then they sold a part of the drugs in the Czech Republic and offered the rest on the virtual market through Darknet to the whole world, including the United States, Australia and Russia, using the Czech Post national postal operator’s services. The forests of the Czech Republic are considered a productive source of illegal timber in Europe. The country is also a transit point for illegal timber smuggled from Myanmar to the Netherlands.
We expedite the research process by leveraging our expertise, industry knowledge, and local presence in the Czech Republic to deliver timely and actionable insights. This helps businesses accelerate decision-making and go-to-market strategies. With its stable economy, skilled workforce, and supportive business environment, the Czech Republic offers a favorable return on investment for businesses across multiple sectors.
And if you want to cap off your trip in inspired fashion, head to the Apple Museum, which features a pop-art inspired Steve Jobs stencil, plus a chronological timeline of the tech giant’s ground-breaking innovations. The Anonymous Bar, named after the global hacktivist group, isn’t just one of the best bars in Prague – it’s one of the coolest, most creative watering holes I’ve been to anywhere on the planet. Of course, there is always an element of relative chaos specific to flea markets in general, which is what makes them so enjoyable to explore and find order and treasures amidst the disorder. However, it may take a little more mental preparation to visit Kolbenova than your average flea market. Czechia has made significant advancements in smart city initiatives, leveraging technology to improve urban living and enhance sustainability.
Given Jiřikovský’s past, there are concerns that the funds might be part of money laundering from criminal activity. He highlighted several ways the ministry would use donations, including digitizing the justice system, improving housing conditions for prison staff, and helping fight drugs. IPRH’s independent assessment suggests that Czech gambling has at least 30% exposure to illegal gambling activities, a figure likely increasing as consumers migrate to online platforms. Political analyst Daniel Šárovec described the trio of Blažek, Fiala, and Stanjura as naive.
“This new law gives the ministry more rights to come up with secondary legislation. The problem so far has been that the regulator has had lots of discretion in interpreting the law,” said Chloupek. “Many of these operators are based in Curaçao, the British Virgin Islands, etc,” he said. The Czech government will have difficulty extending its reach outside the EU, noted Vojtech Chloupek, a partner at Bird & Bird law firm in Prague. Another criticism in places where cloud kitchens have become popular is that the facilities are often not subjected to the same regulations and inspections that traditional restaurants face. For cloud kitchens, one issue seen worldwide is the variable quality of food.
