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
SiGMA North America 2026
01 de September 2026
Affiliates and Acquisition: Keys to Regulated Markets in North America
(Mexico City, SoloAzar Exclusive).- During SiGMA North America 2026, Cristóbal Guzmán Reyes, Head of Affiliates at Logrand Entertainment Group; Guga Júnior, influencer and slots expert at Socios Escalares; Andrés Gómez, Head of Latin America Go-to-Market Strategy at Admattic; Yambot Aguilera, Gaming and Finance Sales Director at Google; and Paula Gabriel Jiménez, Advertising Client Growth Director for Microsoft at Aleph, analyzed the state and provincial affiliate ecosystem in North America, as well as the acquisition challenges in regulated markets.
Thursday 24 Sep 2026 / 12:00
Jordi Sendra, CEO of Alea: "Latin America is one of our most important regions"
(Mexico City, SoloAzar Exclusive).- The CEO of Alea analyzes the company's participation in SiGMA North America, the potential of Mexico and Brazil and the growth opportunities in North America and Latin America. It also reviews the new features presented during the event, including the new sportsbook vertical and Alea Jackpot.
Wednesday 23 Sep 2026 / 12:00
CP Games at SiGMA North America: Localization, Integration, and Regional Growth
(Mexico City, SoloAzar Exclusive).- Following a successful showcase at SiGMA North America, Caio Ruiz, Head of Growth and Strategic Partnership at CP Games, reflects on the event's key takeaways. He discusses the critical need for localized strategies across the Americas, the importance of flexible technical integrations, and the company's next steps in navigating the diverse gaming landscapes of LatAm and North America.
Tuesday 22 Sep 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.
