North Macedonia Strengthens State Role in Online Gambling

The law updates the rules for both land-based and online gambling.

The state will hold the right to organise online, electronic, and lottery games through a wholly state-owned company. This replaces the previous model, which allowed private businesses to operate through companies where the state held a controlling stake.

Private companies will still be able to supply games, technology, payment systems, and other services. However, the state-owned company will select these suppliers through public calls and remain responsible for providing gambling services to players.

Debating the New System

This shift to a government-run monopoly has sparked a lot of discussion. On one side, the Ministry of Finance and other supporters say this is the best way to clean up the market. They argue that a state monopoly makes it easier to track money, stop corruption, collect taxes properly, and protect vulnerable players.

On the other side, some independent business experts and local gaming associations are worried about the economic impact. They argue that taking away competition might make online gaming less appealing, which could actually lower the amount of tax money the government collects.

There are also concerns that sudden law changes might upset foreign companies that already spent money investing in the country under the old rules.

Operators Face Stricter Requirements

The law already sets many of the technical, financial, and advertising requirements for companies in the regulated market. These include:

• Using a national .mk domain.

• Meeting IT security and data-protection standards.

• Verifying players electronically.

• Processing payments through banks in North Macedonia.

• Paying new licence fees and gambling duties.

• Following tighter rules for gambling advertising.

Advertisements cannot target minors, use certain celebrity endorsements, or present gambling as a source of income or a solution to financial problems.

However, the exact role of private companies under the new model still needs to be clarified. Further rules will determine how they work with the state-owned company and what requirements they must meet.

What the New Law Means for Players

For regular everyday players, the online betting experience will look different too:

• Strict Web Blocking: Authorities continue to order internet providers to block foreign gambling sites that operate without local approval.

• Black Market Risks: Industry analysts warn that limited competition may lead some players towards unlicensed international sites, where local authorities cannot provide the same protection.

MegaWin, the country’s last active online operator, can continue operating under the previous rules until 31 December 2026. From 1 January 2027, the new state-led model will take effect, with a wholly state-owned company becoming the country’s only legal online gambling operator.

North Macedonia is also moving in a different direction from some other European markets. Finland, for example, will open its online betting and casino market to licensed private operators from 1 July 2027, while North Macedonia is shifting towards a more centralised, state-led model.