Albania Finalises Rules for Online Sports Betting Return

Context: From Total Ban to Digital Control

2018: The Albanian parliament passed a sweeping law to completely ban sports betting. By early 2019, the government closed more than 4,000 physical betting shops across the nation to protect families from financial ruin.

2022: Officials recognized that the blanket ban had failed to stop gambling. Instead of stopping, the market moved entirely onto illegal offshore websites, creating an untaxed black market. 

Analysts noted that unregulated sports betting alone generated over $126 million in gross gaming revenue. The government announced a pivot to bring the market back under strict digital surveillance.

2024: Lawmakers officially overturned the five-year ban. Parliament passed the primary legislation allowing online sportsbooks to return.

2026: The government approved the licensing procedure in March and completed the remaining regulations in July.

What the New Market Will Look Like

The new market will cover online sports betting only. Betting shops and slot halls will remain prohibited. The changes will not allow online casinos or poker sites to obtain Albanian licences.

The Licensing Commission may award up to 10 sports betting licences. It will decide the exact number when it opens the application process.

Licensed operators will pay 15% of their gross gaming revenue into a special fund. Albania will use the money to support culture, sport, technology and innovation.

What This Means for Players

For local gamblers, the experience will look entirely different than it did before the 2018 ban:

• Players can only fund accounts and withdraw winnings using local banks or approved e-money apps.

• Anonymous betting is no longer allowed. Players must verify their identity with national ID tracking systems before placing a wager.

• The legal gambling age is set strictly at 21 years old.

What This Means for Operators

Securing one of the 10 available spots will be highly competitive:

• Ten-year permits: winning companies receive a stable 10-year operating license.

• A 100-point evaluation system will grade each applicant. Points are awarded based on financial offers, technology security, and global industry experience.

Strict Barriers to Entry

Before the market can open, operators must pass a demanding application process. Each applicant must establish an Albanian joint-stock company, hold at least ALL40 million (€400,000) in capital and report annual turnover of ALL2 billion (€20 million). It must also have three years of experience in at least three EU or OECD countries. Licence offers will start at ALL400 million (€4 million).

These requirements could leave few Albanian companies eligible and give established international operators an advantage. The changes come as neighbouring North Macedonia tightens its own online gambling rules, with stricter conditions for operators and a greater role for the state.

Albania has not announced when the licensing round will begin. Once it opens, applicants will have 45 days to submit their documents.