Gambling License
Licensing for betting, casino and gaming operators under one of the region’s stricter gambling regulatory regimes.
Albania’s Gambling Regulatory Landscape
Albania significantly tightened its gambling regime in 2018, restricting where and how land-based gambling can operate — casinos are generally confined to qualifying 5-star hotel and resort premises, and standalone betting shops and gaming halls outside that framework were largely closed. This makes Albania a notably stricter gambling jurisdiction than many neighbouring markets, and it changes the practical question at the center of most licensing conversations: not just “can I get licensed,” but “is my planned location and format even eligible.” Remote and online betting and gaming sit under a separate licensing track from land-based casino operations. Albania’s National Gambling Authority oversees licensing and supervision across the sector.
Albania For Business Sh.p.k. supports gambling operators through licensing — confirming which category and location requirements apply to your model, preparing the application, and managing the regulatory relationship through to a granted license.
GAMBLING LICENSE APPLICATION
fixed service fee
PACKAGE OF GAMBLING LICENSE APPLICATION INCLUDES:
- Eligibility assessment for your specific gambling activity and business model
- Determination of location and premises requirements applicable to your license category
- Preparation of the license application and supporting documentation
- Capital and financial guarantee documentation
- AML program drafting to meet licensing requirements
- Fit-and-proper documentation for directors and beneficial owners
- Liaison with the National Gambling Authority throughout review
- Post-licensing compliance setup guidance
License Categories
Requirements — and eligible locations — differ substantially by category:
| Category | Typical Activity & Location |
|---|---|
| Land-based casino | Table games and gaming machines — generally restricted to qualifying 5-star hotel and resort premises, not standalone locations |
| Remote / online betting & gaming | Sports betting, online casino and gaming offered remotely — licensed separately from land-based premises requirements |
| Sports betting (retail) | Physical betting outlets — subject to the same post-2018 locational restrictions as other land-based gambling formats |
The locational restriction on land-based casinos is the single detail that changes the most business plans — it’s worth confirming eligibility of your intended premises before any other planning proceeds.
What the Regulator Requires
- Minimum capital and financial guarantees appropriate to the license category and scale of activity — the specific amount must be confirmed against current requirements.
- Fit-and-proper directors and beneficial owners, including background and source-of-funds checks.
- A documented AML program appropriate to gambling-sector risk.
- For land-based casinos, premises meeting the qualifying resort/hotel location requirement.
- For remote betting and gaming, technical certification of gaming systems and random-number-generation integrity where applicable.
- Ongoing reporting obligations to the National Gambling Authority once licensed, alongside standard corporate and tax compliance.
Albania’s gambling law — including the specific locational restrictions on land-based casinos, capital and guarantee requirements, and the boundaries of the remote gambling license category — should be verified directly against current legislation and National Gambling Authority practice before this page is published or relied upon for a specific application.
Gambling Licensing, Step by Step
- Eligibility & category assessment — we confirm which license category applies, and for land-based activity, whether your intended premises qualifies.
- Corporate & capital structuring — your company structure, capital and financial guarantees are built to meet the licensing standard.
- Application & documentation prepared — the full application package is prepared to the regulator’s requirements.
- Filing with the National Gambling Authority — the application is formally submitted.
- Regulatory review & responses — we manage any information requests or clarifications raised during review.
- License granted & compliance setup — once granted, we help set up the ongoing reporting your license requires.
What We Need From You
- A description of your business model — land-based casino, remote betting/gaming, or retail sports betting.
- For land-based activity, details of your intended premises and its qualifying status.
- Details of your ownership and management structure, including all individuals subject to fit-and-proper review.
- Your planned capitalisation and evidence of source of funds.
- Any existing gambling licenses or regulatory history in other jurisdictions.
Fee Schedule — Additional & Ongoing Services
Beyond the fixed package above, the following services are priced individually. Your adviser confirms an exact quotation once your structure, nationality and banking preference are known.
| Service | Indicative Fee |
|---|---|
| Gambling license application — single category (as above) | €4,000 fixed service fee |
| Additional license category (combined application) | from €1,500 |
| Premises eligibility assessment (land-based casino) | from €500 |
| AML program drafting (standalone) | from €800 |
| Ongoing compliance monitoring (monthly) | from €400 / month |
| License renewal support | from €1,000 |
| Gaming system / RNG certification coordination (remote gaming) | quoted individually |
The most common planning mistake we see for land-based gambling isn’t in the licensing paperwork — it’s assuming a standalone commercial space will qualify at all. Since the 2018 restrictions, land-based casinos are generally confined to qualifying 5-star hotel and resort premises, which is a fundamentally different real-estate proposition than leasing a city-center storefront. Confirming your premises actually qualifies is worth doing before you sign a lease, commit capital, or invest in a business plan built around a location that was never eligible.