The support to re-introduce sports betting was
suggested by the Albanian National Olympic
moved their betting activity online via foreign sites whilst illegal gambling is rife.
In 2021 apparently more than 200 people were prosecuted for illegal gambling and it is estimated some €30m to €50m is spent by Albanians on sports betting annually.
Te support to re-introduce sports betting was suggested by the Albanian National Olympic Committee who claimed sports federations were in financial trouble. Te idea was later backed by the Commanding Director of the State Police, Tonin Vocaj, who took over his position in September last year and came out in support of legalising sports betting.
He said at the time: “We suggest a revision of the gambling law for the formalisation of online sports betting due to the fact that this activity is legal in other countries. Games of chance like casinos should not be allowed.”
Following this a coalition of Albanian sports betting industry stakeholders petitioned the
Committee who claimed sports federations were in financial trouble. The idea was later backed by the Commanding Director of the State Police, Tonin Vocaj,
who took over his position in September last year and came out in support of legalising sports betting.
government to ask for the reinstitution of regulated and supervised sports betting.
Te majority of the revenue generated from this sector is to be used to support the country’s athletes and youth culture projects. Te petition suggested allowing sports betting via certified operators both local and international with an age limit and maximum bet limit.
Te move to re-introduce sports betting will
bring much needed revenue to the cash strapped country which faces huge debts and increasing pressure to reduce rising energy costs and lower prices generally to support the vulnerable communities.
Te plan is to license up to three companies which will operate online sports betting only whilst there is a plan to introduce ID cards and every online transaction will be monitored by the government.
State income from gambling back in 2018 amounted to €38.4m (€44.5m in 2017) whilst €15m of this came from sports betting. Annual turnover of licensed companies amounted to €140m of which 60 per cent came from casinos/slots halls (€80m).
By 2020 the contribution from gambling fell to €6m due to the one casino which increased to €12.8m last year thanks to the licensing of the three new casinos. Te return of sports gambling is expected to boost government coffers by around LEK2bn (€17m) in annual taxes.
WIRE / PULSE / INSIGHT / REPORTS P171
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