GPIS Montenegro

While the query refers to "GPIS Montenegro" as a company, research indicates that GPIS Montenegro is not a standalone iGaming company offering products or platforms, but rather an abbreviation used to refer to the Group of Montenegrin Gaming Operators (also referred to as Montenegro's GPIS association) within the Montenegrin Chamber of Commerce. This association serves as a representative body for the legal gambling sector in Montenegro.

Purpose and Activities

The primary purpose of the Group of Montenegrin Gaming Operators, or GPIS association, is to protect the interests of the legal gaming sector, facilitate the exchange of experiences, and actively contribute to the creation of sustainable regulatory solutions. The association works to unify the potentials of the regional gaming industry, particularly in confronting issues like tightening regulations and the rapid expansion of unlicensed gambling networks.

Market Position and Partnerships

The Montenegrin GPIS association is a founding member of the Balkan Gaming Federation (BGF), a regional alliance established to bring together leading gaming organizations from Serbia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Montenegro. This federation aims for joint action, coordination, and strengthening the position of the legal gaming industry across the Balkans. Key areas of cooperation for the BGF include combating illegal gambling, fighting unfair competition, exchanging regulatory experiences, coordinating legislation, and encouraging investments and business partnerships within the region.

Regulatory Context in Montenegro

Montenegro's gambling industry has been undergoing significant regulatory changes. The main regulatory body is the Games of Chance Administration (GCA), which is part of the Montenegrin Ministry of Finance. The country updated its Law on Games of Chance, with a new framework taking effect in August 2025, replacing a concession-based model with an approval-based licensing system. These reforms aim to modernize the sector, align with EU standards for anti-money laundering (AML), consumer protection, and fiscal transparency, and strengthen regulatory enforcement. Online gambling has been legal since 2011, with licenses issued by the GCA, typically as an extension of a land-based license. However, the industry, including associations like MontenegroBet (a national association of licensed operators, distinct from the GPIS association but sharing similar concerns), has raised concerns about aspects of the new laws, such as tax changes and restrictions on payment methods, warning they could inadvertently push players towards unregulated platforms.

Leadership and Strategic Direction

Miloš Lalević is noted as the vice president of Montenegro's GPIS association and a former government official involved in European integration negotiations. The association believes that governments often underestimate the role of regulated operators in consumer protection and compliance, emphasizing the industry's investment in responsible gambling programs, AML systems, and technological safeguards. The overall strategic direction of the GPIS association, through its involvement in the Balkan Gaming Federation, is to advocate for a more balanced regulatory environment that fosters sustainable growth and addresses common industry challenges effectively.