The Albanian Council of Ministers has approved a decision that opens the way for licensing online sports betting operators. The decision sets out strict evaluation criteria, application deadlines and a scoring methodology for all entities wishing to enter the market.
Albania had previously imposed a ban on all forms of online and offline gambling in 2019, with only a few exceptions for land-based casinos.
The Government has decided that no more than 10 licenses will be issued nationwide. The selection process will be competitive and managed by the Gambling Supervisory Authority (AMLF) in collaboration with a special Licensing Commission.
The opening of the application process will be announced on the official AMLF website, in two international newspapers and in the Public Notices Bulletin. Interested entities will have 45 calendar days from the date of the announcement to submit their documentation.
To select the winners, the Government has developed a 100-point methodology with several key criteria. The economic offer accounts for 30 points and is based on the value offered by the applicant above the base licensing fee.
Experience in the gambling sector also carries 30 points and evaluates the entity's or its shareholders' prior experience. Organisational and administrative capacity is worth 20 points and assesses the organisation’s structure, risk management and transaction integrity.
Software solutions and security account for 15 points and focus on technical architecture, cybersecurity and planned integration with AMLF’s real-time monitoring systems. The business plan is worth 5 points and requires a detailed three-year market and financial feasibility analysis.
If two or more applicants achieve the same score, their ranking will be determined by a lottery system. Each applicant must pay a non-refundable application fee of ALL 500,000 ($6,017), regardless of whether they are selected as a winner.
To ensure maximum transparency, the entire application process will be continuously monitored with cameras and audio recording. Winners will be announced following the technical evaluation, while unsuccessful applicants have the right to appeal within 10 days to the Minister of Finance.
Although online sports betting was legalised in Albania in February 2024, implementing the corresponding regulations encountered delays
