Albanian parliament reverses sports betting ban

[The Buzz]

In 2018, Albania's parliament prohibited sports betting, but now it has reversed its decision, voting to reintroduce it exclusively in online format. This time, the operation will be overseen by ten chosen companies.

From Balkan Insight:

The new law says that only 10 companies will have a license for sports betting, and it will be legal only in the online form. The ten companies will be selected by a special “Commission of Licenses” and must fulfill several criteria.

“On-line sports bets are bets placed on dedicated, authorized and monitorable websites, applications or electronic platforms of licensed entities, in accordance with the provisions of this law, for sports events and/or sports games … and do not include track races,” the new law specifies. “The Licensing Commission designs and proposes programs dedicated to the protection of the players, which are approved by joint instruction of the minister responsible for finance and the minister responsible for social affairs,” it adds.

The law was passed in a tense situation in parliament. Opposition MPs protested against it and the session only lasted for several minutes.

“Unfortunately 72 MPs voted today for the ‘The Resumption of Stupidity’, a law that restores ‘Death’, according to [PM Edi] Rama in 2015, the influence of crime in sports betting and the social drama of people who have addictions,” Rigels Xhemollari, from the Tirana-based Qendresa Qytetare (Citizens’ Resistance) organisation, wrote.

Read more here: https://balkaninsight.com/2024/02/15...ed%20in%202018.

[ocreditor]

Money, money, money...

[Exon]

Any idea of the size of Albanian market?

[NoDepositCasinos]

Money, money, money...

Any explanation you want to give for this or any other law's change usually boils down to this.

[Cash Bonus]

Money, money, money...

Yes, you're absolutely correct. For sure it's all about the money, and I can't help but wonder, why they didn't think harder about just leaving it alone and not putting the ban into effect in the first place, since they've just made the decision to reverse it now. Seems quite strange.

[idanbraun]

What about other gambling options besides sports betting? Like online casino games - Slots and other games.

[Pokerface]

More governments will hopefully recognize the reality of lost potential revenues when a ban or legislation prevents players from playing. There will always be ways around these regulations so why not permit with whatever more thought out regulations they feel are important.