Czech police probe tax fraud at Leon Zukernik’s former casinos

Czech police are continuing to check suspicions of large-scale tax fraud at casinos formerly owned and run by businessman Leon Zukernik. The newspaper Hospodářské noviny has linked the case to the company King’s Entertainment: according to its financial statements, at the end of 2025 the firm owed the tax office CZK 760 million.

According to the paper, in February 2026 investigators launched criminal proceedings against six individuals and one legal entity. However, after complaints from those affected, the decision was overturned and the police returned to the stage of checking. The available information does not indicate that Zukernik is currently being prosecuted in this case or that a court has found him guilty.

The financial administration pointed to tax discrepancies as early as February 2025, but did not name the operator at the time. The Specialised Financial Office inspected 2021 and 2022 and assessed additional tax of CZK 340 million. Including other additional returns, the total consequences were reported to exceed CZK 540 million.

King’s Entertainment still operates two casinos in Rozvadov and one in the Prague Hilton hotel. For 2025 the company reported a net profit of CZK 187 million, compared with CZK 531 million a year earlier.

Zukernik owned the company for a long time through Vestar Group Holding and chaired its board from 2004 to 2024. He sold his stake in June 2024. The tax periods under review (2021–2023) fall within the time when he was still working at the firm.

Further steps will depend on the outcome of the police check.

By the Around Prague newsroom