Armenia advances gambling reforms targeting unlicensed operators and advertising

The proposed measures would require providers to block illegal gambling websites, banks to stop related payments, and licensed operators to obtain approval for advertising content.

Armenia.- Lawmakers are moving forward with a new package of gambling reforms aimed at tightening control over both legal and illegal gambling in the country. The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Economic Affairs has issued a positive opinion on the proposed amendments to the law on the Regulation of Gambling Activities, which will now move to further parliamentary discussion.

Submitted by Rafael Gevorkyan, deputy chairman of the State Revenue Committee, one of the central measures would require internet service providers to block access to unlicensed gambling websites under procedures and deadlines to be defined by the government. In parallel, Armenian commercial banks and other financial institutions would be required to restrict transfers and payments linked to illegal gambling, including transactions identified through gambling merchant category codes (MCCs).

The reform package would also ban advertising for unlicensed gambling platforms across Armenia and on websites accessible within the country.

Meanwhile, advertisements for licensed casinos, online games, lotteries and sportsbook services would need prior regulatory approval before publication. Authorities would be able to reject advertising deemed misleading or non-compliant with existing legislation.

The draft legislation also introduces new operational rules for land-based gambling halls. Players would only be able to exchange gaming chips through cashless transactions using bank accounts registered in their own names. Foreign nationals would be exempt from the requirement.

Lottery operators would also face new obligations. Organisers of draw-based and combined lotteries would be required to allocate at least 50 per cent of ticket sales to prize funds, excluding tickets awarded as prizes.

If approved by parliament, the Armenian government would have 90 days to adopt the secondary regulations necessary to implement website-blocking procedures and payment restrictions.

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The proposed measures would require providers to block illegal gambling websites, banks to stop related payments, and licensed operators to obtain approval for advertising content. Armenia.- Lawmakers are moving forward with a new package of gambling reforms aimed at tightening control over both legal and illegal gambling in the country. The National Assembly’s Standing Committee…