End of foolishness, casinos moved to periphery

End of foolishness, casinos moved to periphery

Since January 1 all gambling businesses currently operating in residential areas will be moved to the periphery. 

It was the Prime Minister, Edi Rama, who introduced the legal changes, warning that the law determines that gambling establishments will be moved outside of the 28 square kilometer are from any city centre in the Republic of Albania.

"All online casinos will cease to operate according to the law, as of December 31. Today's modification includes sports bets as well as any bets for so-called racing, be it horses, dogs or any other slave race of Albanian fauna.

“In regards to the State earnings from gambling, we have seen double the income when compared to the past. $54 million has been collected through increased formalities and taxation. 

“Despite there being 40 companies we collected from in the past, now there are only 20 but the tax collected is double. As of the 1st of January, there will be no more new betting business in the territory of the Republic of Albania.

“And as outlined in the existing amended law, no electronic casino can be found within 28 thousand square kilometers of any inhabited area in the Republic of Albania,” said Edi Rama.

The head of government said among, other things, that advertising for casinos or betting in the media would not be allowed.

“In accordance with the existing law, the advertising of betting companies is not permitted. This is being violated by all media without exception. I warn everyone to remove all commercials from radio, newspapers and online portals within 24 hours.

“The Audiovisual Media Authority should guarantee the implementation of the law in terms of screens and radios, as we will forcefully close every online site after 24 hours should there still be betting ads and violations of the existing law of the Republic of Albania,” said Edi Rama.

Prime Minister Edi Rama also announced that the government is working on a new shame for licensing and controlling gambling activity in the future through the internet.

Gambling in Albania has experienced a rapid boom, with revenue growing year-on-year.

It is estimated that the annual turnover of gambling activities in the country is around 132 million euro. 

EMISIONET