Albania: Strict online gambling legislation proposed
Tuesday 11 de April 2023 / 12:00
⏱ 2 min read
(Albania).- Reports from local news outlet Exit News say that Albanian officials have introduced a proposal to legalize gambling in the country, including online gambling. Under the proposed legislation, operators will only be allowed to conduct business online once they have registered and obtained a license, and they must only accept electronic payments. Companies must also retain personal data of all registered users for a minimum of three years.
Organizers of gambling activities will not be allowed to accept money directly from players, only through authorized financial agents, such as second-level banks, Albanian Post, and financial institutions licensed by the Bank of Albania, such as Western Union and Unionnet.
To operate, companies must hold a bank guarantee of €1.5 million in a special bank account, which should not be less than 5% of the total deposits made by players in the previous financial year, with access controlled by Albania's Ministry of Finance.
Companies must transfer €450 000 to another account to cover obligations related to the state. Bookmakers must have the form of a joint-stock company with headquarters in Albania, and shareholders must not have a criminal record or be held liable for criminal offenses.
Furthermore, the draft proposes the establishment of a special fund that will receive 15% of the corporate income tax paid by operators. These funds will be used to support state projects in sports, culture, and information technology.
Land-based casinos will also be required to transfer 15% of their corporate income tax to this fund, as well as 0.4% of their annual turnover. The National Lottery will also contribute 5.4% of its annual turnover.
The National Agency for Information Society will review the draft law, and the final version will be adopted by government decree after consultations with the agency.
Gambling was banned in Albania in January 2019, resulting in the closure of more than 1000 gaming venues across the country. A few operators were given special permits to continue operating, and it was previously announced that Albania would legalize gambling activities from January 1, 2023.
Categoría:Legislation
Tags: Sin tags
País: Albania
Región: EMEA
Event
PERU GAMING SHOW – PGS 2026
17 de June 2026
Enhancing Responsible Gaming Through Effective Training at PGS 2026
(Lima, SoloAzar Exclusive) – Training, prevention, and technology took center stage at the "Value of Responsible Gaming in Gambling Operations" conference during the 2026 Perú Gaming Show (PGS). Presented by Fernando Calderón Castro, President of the National Gaming Society (SONAJA), the session brought industry leaders together to tackle current challenges and explore strategies for safer, more transparent, and sustainable operations.
Wednesday 22 Jul 2026 / 12:00
LSports at the Peru Gaming Show: Building Presence, Opening Doors
(Lima, SoloAzar Exclusive).- The Peru Gaming Show was never just about the booth. For LSports, it was about showing up in a market where showing up still matters — and leaving with more than a contact list. Federico Brancato, Sales Manager for the LATAM Region, came to Lima with a clear sense of what operators in this part of Latin America need most right now. What he found confirmed it.
Friday 17 Jul 2026 / 12:00
Martin Ivanov: "Latin America remains one of CT Interactive's key strategic regions"
(Lima, SoloAzar Exclusive).- CT Interactive Chief Operating Officer Martin Ivanov reflects on the company's experience at the Peru Gaming Show, highlights the opportunities emerging in the Peruvian market, and outlines the company's strategic priorities for expanding across Latin America.
Thursday 16 Jul 2026 / 12:00
SUSCRIBIRSE
Para suscribirse a nuestro newsletter, complete sus datos
Reciba todo el contenido más reciente en su correo electrónico varias veces al mes.
