After a 7-year betting ban, Albania is moving toward opening a regulated market and issuing a fixed number of gambling licences. Currently, the country prohibits brick-and-mortar bookmakers, slot gaming clubs, and digital entertainment platforms, a restriction enshrined in law in 2019.
Meanwhile, the shadow economy continues to expand. Gross revenue from unauthorised sports betting reached around $126 million in 2025. This amount could pose attractive opportunities for international enterprises. Nevertheless, it remains unclear what portion of the existing offshore segment can be legalised.
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Major Changes for Bookmakers in the Balkan State
In July 2026, the local officials announced the completion of a new legal framework. The initiative allows a partial resumption of the betting sector. After the licensing stage is over, a maximum of 10 web operators will serve the country’s residents.
Developing the regulations took several years. In 2022, Albania’s Prime Minister said that although the ban remains in effect, the niche continues to grow rapidly. Edi Rama highlighted officials’ task of moving sportsbooks from the grey economy back into a predictable, safe, supervised sector.
According to the politician, the government lacks the resources and capacity to stop, or even slow, shadow market growth. Therefore, the authorities need to change their strategy and make the segment’s profits transparent.
The law restoring the betting industry was passed in 2024. Nevertheless, it took over 2 years to develop the mechanisms for its practical implementation. The launch date for the first licensing phase, the number of available permits, and the scope of operator demand are unclear for now. Another question is whether public interest in betting remains high after the long-standing ban.
Reasons for the Previous Closure of the Wagering Market
In 2018, legislators voted in favour of regulatory restrictions. At the time, bookmaker projects were popular and widespread across the state. Their annual turnover was about €700 million. The country had nearly 4,000 sales points and a population of 2.8 million.
According to Hashtag Lawyers’ founder, wagering was often set up near schools and residential areas. In Hendri Hanaj’s opinion, the main reasons for government intervention were the sheer scale and spontaneity of these gaming spots. Small but regular bets became a natural part of daily life. Politicians were concerned about problem gambling risks and their impact primarily on low-income families.
Mr Rama also spoke about the issue of manipulating sporting-event results and the various illicit schemes associated with them. Additionally, he admitted that some betting companies may have contacts with organised-crime representatives.
At the same time, closing the legal segment did not eliminate interest in wagering and other gambling niches. Demand has remained, but it has moved into an unregulated field.
One of Gaming Compliance International’s studies revealed the following:
- In 2024, unauthorised digital betting delivered $117 million in gross revenue.
- Just a year later, the volume increased to $126 million.
- With web casinos and poker added, the shadow turnover hit $229 million in 2025.
New Format of the Relaunched Bookmaking Industry
Despite the significant policy shift, Mr Rama clarified that the government has no intention of returning to the previous situation in the land-based sector. The proposed system will differ significantly from the past.
The main changes include the following:
- Only web sportsbooks will be allowed, while brick-and-mortar projects are still banned.
- Slot machine parlours are also planned to remain closed.
- Casinos can be located only in select 5-star hotels.
The number of commercial digital brands will be limited. The first stage will include no more than 10 permits, with the Licensing Commission’s experts having the final say after the application process begins. Such initial volume reflects the need to test the new rules in practice and gauge industry reaction.
Politicians expect the legal segment’s annual public revenues to total about ALL 2 billion (€20 million) and plan to transfer 15% of GGR directly to a special fund.
These resources will be used to foster initiatives across several fields:
- sports;
- culture;
- innovations;
- technologies.
At the same time, Mr Hanaj believes that the long-term absence of a legal market could have reduced audience interest in betting. He noted that older age groups still like wagering, yet overall figures are significantly lower than 7 years ago. The expert believes stakes will remain in demand, but the regulated industry will not return to its previous levels.
He also added that switching to a legal digital format will give the state greater control. Electronic payments will make it easier to track operators’ and users’ financial activity.
Key Peculiarities of the Future Regulatory Structure
As Mr Hanaj notes, transparency and supervision of financial flows will be key elements of the new system. To access gambling services, prospective consumers will need to register online using their national ID cards.
The main requirements are as follows:
- Deposits and other financial operations. Transactions with cash will be prohibited. Accounts can be topped up through local banks, certified payment systems, or accredited e-money institutions. Bookmakers must monitor all activities and save player information for 3+ years.
- National self-exclusion registry. Wagering brands must notify customers of the option to join this list, as well as comply with regulations and digitally store data on in-system users. Also, any family member can submit a request to restrict their relative’s access to gambling.
- Informational support for clients. Operators will warn portal visitors about potential risks, explain the likelihood of winning, and provide links to available social and psychological aid. Nevertheless, the country still lacks a specialised centre where people with signs of ludomania could receive counselling or undergo rehabilitation.
Let us also explore other aspects of the reviewed legal system:
Suspension and Revocation of Licences
In June 2026, the government finalised regulations governing the issuance of bookmaker permits. The list of rules also included sanctions for non-compliance. If an operator ignores these requirements twice within 3 years, the authorities may suspend their certificate for 30 days to 24 months.
During this period, the company loses the right to process financial transactions. After the third violation, the regulator initiates a procedure to revoke the document entirely.
Taxes and Certification Fees
Operators’ financial obligations will include several types of payments:
- local commissions and a licence levy;
- 15% of gross gaming revenue for the special fund;
- a 15% corporate duty, standard for commercial enterprises in Albania.
The permit cost will be determined by tender, but it cannot be less than ALL 400 million (€4 million). This certification fee will be paid in instalments over 10 years while the document is valid.
Applicants for the National Sports Betting Licence
Those who want to offer wagering services in the country must:
- undergo registration to become Albania’s joint-stock entity;
- accumulate a share capital of no less than ALL 40 million (€400,000);
- prove experience in gambling-related ventures across 3+ EU/OECD jurisdictions;
- demonstrate a turnover of at least ALL 2 billion (€20 million) for the most recent FY.
Decisions will be based on special measurement with a maximum of 100 points available:
- up to 30 for the proposed permit fee;
- up to 30 for proven history of industry operations;
- up to 20 for the management quality, transparency, and efficiency;
- up to 15 for technological infrastructure with a full set of industry certifications;
- up to 5 for a comprehensive business plan with a minimum term of 3 years described.
Mr Hanaj believes that this extensive set of standards indicates the government’s interest, primarily, in large suppliers. To obtain a licence, companies must follow numerous, rather stringent requirements. It is already clear that no local studio can meet them, at least at this stage.
The selection criteria are meant for competitors with years of global experience. The authorities say such enterprises will help the legal industry develop faster and more effectively.
Another sign of the worldwide-scale focus is the announcement requirements. After deciding to launch the process, the Licensing Commission’s representatives must declare the start of accepting applications within a week.
The information must appear:
- on the regulator’s official website;
- in Buletini i Njoftimeve Publike;
- in 2 international media.
The Main Things About Reopening Albania’s Betting Niche
The country has a small gambling market, yet it can generate significant demand. In the past, wagering volume here exceeded expectations given its population size. Data from the unregulated segment confirms that interest in betting and other real-money entertainment sectors remains.
Against this backdrop, the upcoming return of legal web stakes opens new opportunities for worldwide-scale operators. Nevertheless, market entry will be challenging, as authorities have capped the number of permits and imposed strict requirements on potential participants.
Operators should consider several factors:
- A limited relaunch is underway. After a 7-year hiatus, the country is reintroducing certified online betting, but the supervisory body expects to issue no more than 10 licences. Meanwhile, land-based bookmakers and slot gaming parlours will remain prohibited.
- Authorities intend to push existing demand toward legal entities. In 2025, illicit digital wagering alone generated approximately $126 million in GGR. Combined with web casinos and poker, the figure reached around $229 million. It is still unclear what portion of this volume will go to licensed operators.
- Priority is given to international companies. A high financial threshold, requirements for experience in at least 3 EU/OECD jurisdictions, and a competitive application evaluation significantly narrow the pool of potential participants.
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