☕️ Armenia🇦🇲: rules for blocking unlicensed gambling are being tightened

☕️ Armenia🇦🇲: rules for blocking unlicensed gambling are being tightened
The new regulatory framework will enter into force on February 8, 2027. Licensed operators are expected to be unaffected.

🎯 The focus is on the technical aspects of blocking, which telecom operators will have to implement using the list of licensed websites as a reference.

🎯 Stricter blocking will also apply to advertising for illegal gambling: the goal is to reduce its visibility in the market.

🎯 Licensed operators will be required to ensure that their websites, advertising agreements and technical processescomply with the new rules as they enter into force.

➡️ Changes to the blocking system are expected to become part of the updated regulatory framework. On August 6, 2026, the Maltese company Random Systems International Limited won a tender to perform the functions of the gambling regulatory operator. The company, which has already operated in Georgia, intends to establish a comprehensive digital control framework, including:

💎 transaction and registered-data monitoring;

💎 risk assessment;

💎 market monitoring;

💎 providing supervisory authorities with access to information.

➡️ “Responsible gambling” measures are also under discussion. Legislators are considering mechanisms such as an annual participation limit of 20% of the player's declared annual income, the identification of vulnerable groups, and self-exclusion mechanisms.

➡️ what are the possible consequences❓

🔽Unlicensed operators may lose full or partial access to the Armenian audience.

🔽Telecom providers will need to review their technical capacity to block illegal operators.

🔽Advertisers and media companies will have to strengthen content controls to prevent prohibited material from being distributed.

🔽Licensed operators may focus on regulatory compliance.

✍️ Context: gambling regulation in Armenia is handled by the State Revenue Committee. In 2025, the Gambling Lawentered into force and introduced geoblocking for the first time. Since June 2026, Armenian banks have been required to reject transactions with merchant category code 7995, except those originating from licensed operators.

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