🤔 Albania🇦🇱: betting is beginning to be regulated, but it is unclear whether there will be demand for legal services

🤔 Albania🇦🇱: betting is beginning to be regulated, but it is unclear whether there will be demand for legal services

After the 7-year ban on betting shops, gaming-machine halls and online casinos failed to eliminate citizens' demand for gambling, the country is preparing to issue up to 10 licenses to online operators. It is still unclear when applications will open, but the measure has already been announced❗️

💘 Only online betting will be permitted. Land-based betting shops and gaming-machine halls will remain completely closed, while casinos will continue to operate only in a limited number of establishments located in five-star hotels.

💘 Regarding operators:

➡️ They will be required to monitor all transactions and retain player data for at least 3 years.

➡️ They must ensure compliance with the national self-exclusion register. Members of large families will also be able to request a gambling ban for a family member.

➡️ Operators that violate licensing rules twice within a 3-year period may have their licenses suspended for 30 days to 2 years. During that period, they will not be allowed to accept bets. In the event of a third violation, the license may be revoked.

➡️ In addition to the 15% tax on gross gaming revenue (GGR) allocated to a social fund supporting culture, sports and other purposes, operators will pay Albania's standard 15% corporate tax, as well as local taxes and a licensing fee. The latter, whose amount will be determined through a tender process, will be at least EUR 4 million, although it may be paid in installments over the 10-year license period.

➡️ To enter the regulated market, platforms will need to register as an Albanian joint-stock company, demonstrate operating experience in at least 3 EU or OECD markets, have generated at least EUR 20 million in turnover during the last financial year, and have share capital of at least EUR 400,000. This suggests that large international operators may have an advantage.

💘 Regarding players, to use the digital infrastructure, they will have to register online using their national identity document. Payments will have to be processed through Albanian banks, licensed electronic money institutions or payment systems. Therefore, cash payments will not be permitted. ❓

💘 Context: in 2018, before the ban was introduced, there were 4,000 betting shops in the country, whose population is below 3 million. Betting was a frequent activity among citizens. In 2025, during the ban, gross revenue from unregulated sports betting was estimated at USD 126 million. Authorities considered that a significant amount of money was remaining outside the regulated system and expressed concern over the situation.

💘 The government expects the new regime to generate approximately EUR 20 million for the state budget.

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