Albania finalises regulatory framework for online sports betting licences
2026-07-20
Source: Global Gaming Insider
Albania has completed all necessary bylaws to allow online sports betting licensing, capping licences at 10 with strict financial and experience requirements, but has not yet set a date for applications.
Framework Finalised
Albania has put the finishing touches on the legal framework needed to launch online sports betting, more than 28 months after the country's gambling law was originally enacted. Local reports confirm that all outstanding bylaws have now been approved, enabling the licensing process to move forward. However, authorities have yet to announce a specific date for when applications will be accepted.
Licensing Conditions
The government has already decided that no more than 10 licences will be issued nationwide, with selection conducted through a competitive process overseen by the Gambling Supervisory Authority (AMLF) and a dedicated Licensing Commission. Applicants must meet several financial and experience-based criteria set out in the law adopted in February 2024. These include a minimum share capital of ALL 40 million, and the applicant or at least one shareholder must have at least three years of gambling industry experience across no fewer than three EU or OECD countries. Where the relevant experience is provided by a shareholder, that individual must hold at least 30% of the company's shares. Additionally, applicants must have generated at least ALL 2 billion in gambling-related turnover during the preceding financial year.
Technical and Operational Requirements
Online sports betting platforms will be required to operate with strict identity controls. Users must log in using an official government-issued ID, and the platforms themselves must incorporate mechanisms to track player activity in real time.
Timeline Still Open
The Ministry of Finance has previously explained that the more than two-year gap between the law's passage and the completion of the bylaws was due to the technical and institutional complexity of the process. This included extensive consultations, verification procedures, and the development of entirely new regulatory systems. With the framework now in place, the industry awaits the official opening of the application window.