Albania has taken another step in regulating online sports betting. The Council of Ministers has approved a decision setting out the specific circumstances, procedures, and timeframes for suspending or revoking the licences of authorised operators. The measure does not provide for the immediate opening of the market. Instead, it establishes one of the key mechanisms needed for its future operation, namely the process to be followed when a licensee no longer complies with the conditions established by law.
The measure forms part of the wider restructuring of Albania’s gambling sector, which began with the reintroduction of online sports betting into the country’s legal framework. Following rules covering technical requirements, player protection, and the licence award procedure, the Government has now also defined the administrative system that will apply to operators that fail to meet their obligations.
The most important point concerns the distinction between suspension and revocation. In the former case, the operator is given a deadline by which to rectify the alleged irregularities. In the latter case, however, the licence is lost. In both situations, it is nevertheless necessary to proceed with caution and carry out all the necessary checks.
What the sports betting decision provides
The official reference is VKM No. 488 of 26 June 2026, namely the decision of the Albanian Council of Ministers (Vendim i Këshillit të Ministrave – VKM), concerning the procedures and time limits for the suspension or revocation of licences for online sports betting. The text stipulates that a licence may be suspended or revoked if the operator fails to meet the fundamental requirements set out in the authorisation, fails to set aside the required guarantee fund, or commits certain breaches.
Suspension is also provided for in cases where an operator fails to meet its payment obligations to the Albanian Gambling Supervisory Authority (Autoriteti i Mbikëqyrjes së Lojërave të Fatit – AMLF), or fails to pay amounts owed to winners. The decision gives the AMLF a central role in enforcement and supervision. The Authority may initiate proceedings based on reports, complaints, information received from other institutions, or irregularities identified during inspections and financial, technical, and electronic checks.
If the evidence supports further action, the case goes to the Licensing Commission for assessment. The Commission makes a recommendation, but the final decision rests with the Minister of Finance, who must provide the reasons for it. The operator must be informed of the case and allowed to respond before a decision is reached.
In the event of repeated non-compliance, the VKM states that a second breach of the same type or in the same category within a three-year period may lead to the initiation of suspension proceedings. A third breach may lead to the initiation of revocation proceedings. The Commission must therefore submit its recommendation and the relevant documentation to the competent minister within the time limits set out in the decision.
The decision also sets out specific rules for the guarantee fund. If the successful applicant does not set aside the required amount within the deadline, the Licensing Commission may begin proceedings to suspend or revoke the licence. The applicant must be given time to respond and has the right to attend a hearing before a decision is made.
AMLF’s role and the market’s next steps
The AMLF’s regulatory page classifies VKM No. 488 as part of the “2026 Regulatory Package” for online sports betting. The package also includes rules on player protection, technical system standards, and the licensing procedure. The new decision therefore completes the regulatory framework governing supervision after licences have been issued.
However, the finalisation of the rules should not be confused with the operational launch of the market. VKM No. 488 does not announce a date for the tender, award licences, or identify authorised operators. Instead, it establishes how the authorities must act if a future licensee breaches its obligations.
For Albania, this decision represents both a technical and decisive step in their market, which requires clear procedures for operators and, if necessary, suspensions or revocations of the activity.
This article was originally published on the Italian SiGMA News page on 21 July 2026.
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