The Albanian parliament voted to overturn the online sports betting ban that was implemented in 2018. However, the amended law stated that only ten online sportsbooks can have licenses to operate in the country. Also, there is no provision for online operators to venture into retail sports wagering. The law will lead to the creation of a Commission of Licenses to oversee licensee selection. In addition, it will have strict criteria for eligibility.
Additionally, the legislation requires the Licensing Commission to create player protection programs, which ministries must approve. According to sportsbook PPH experts, it does not include track races.
There were enough votes to adopt the amended bill despite objections from the opposition during the contentious legislative session. According to Rigels Xhemollari of Tirana's Qendresa Qytetare, the return to online sports betting will have negative societal implications. Xhemollari noted that Prime Minister Edi Rama had already decried similar impacts in 2015.
Online Sports Betting Ban in Albania
Prime Minister Rama's professionals and political opponents were critical of his first proposal to bring internet gambling back in September 2022. Rama said that he changed his mind since people were still gambling even though his own party had banned it.
Prompted by allegations of collusion between criminal syndicates and the business, the Socialist Party led the charge to outlaw gambling in 2018. But on January 1, 2019, the total prohibition was imposed due to the consequent spike in illicit gaming. According to bookie software solution experts, the "End of the Madness" operation in 2013 and the legislative measures that followed in 2015 were unsuccessful in limiting the illegal gambling business.
Considering the difficulties inherent in prohibiting internet gambling, Rama recommended its controlled restoration, which has since been greenlit. According to PPH service providers, sportsbook has yet to be announced to join the Albanian market.
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