The Government of Montenegro has intensified efforts to combat unlawful gambling activity as authorities strengthen enforcement, aiming to reduce the presence of illegal gambling across the country.
A key focus of the Gambling Inspectorate is the identification and seizure of unlicensed gaming machines and terminals that have been unlawfully installed in hospitality venues, petrol stations and other public spaces where such activity is strictly prohibited by law.
In cooperation with the Police Directorate and the State Prosecutor’s Office, 22 illegal gaming machines and terminals have recently been permanently removed.
At the same time, enhanced inspections are being carried out in licensed gambling establishments to ensure that machines and equipment are used in accordance with permits issued by the competent authorities.
Special attention has been given to the protection of minors, with five requests for misdemeanour proceedings filed due to the presence of minors in betting shops and gaming clubs.
Four misdemeanour proceedings have been initiated against operators who unlawfully advertised their services on public billboards in breach of the law.
Last year, Montenegrin authorities blocked more than 450 unlicensed gambling websites. Despite these measures, illegal operators continue to find ways to adapt.
For the past three years, the Gambling Administration, together with the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank, has been working to prevent payments from Montenegrin bank accounts and cards to foreign gambling platforms.
Many unlicensed operators bypass restrictions by changing IP addresses, redirecting traffic to “mirror” sites, or integrating cryptocurrency payments, allowing Montenegrin players to deposit funds without using official gambling platforms.
State authorities have stated that they will not tolerate illegal gambling operations and will continue to implement decisive measures aimed at detecting, sanctioning and preventing all forms of unlawful activity in this sector.
Last month, Montenegro introduced a 12% flat tax on gambling winnings and removed the €50 ($58.9) tax-free threshold to simplify the tax system
