Armenia debates stricter controls on online gambling, including mandatory self-exclusion

A bill would force operators to add blocking tools and restrict access for vulnerable groups.

Armenia.- The National Assembly of Armenia is debating a set of proposed legal reforms aimed at tightening control over online gambling.

The initiative, presented by MP Hayk Sargsyan from the ruling Civil Contract faction, is being debated in the Parliamentary Committee on Economic Affairs. It proposes amendments to the law “On Regulation of Gambling Activities,” introducing new obligations for operators and new restrictions on players.

At the centre of the proposal is a mandatory self-exclusion system. If approved, all online casinos would be required to include a clearly visible button allowing users to block themselves from gambling platforms. Once activated, the ban would last five years and would automatically extend for another five unless the user requests to lift it shortly before expiration.

The bill also seeks to limit access to online casinos for certain groups. These include people declared bankrupt, individuals who rely on social benefits or pensions as their main income, and those whose consumer debt exceeds 40 per cent of their annual income.

The government has expressed general support for the initiative but warned that enforcement remains a key challenge. Deputy Economy Minister Edgar Zakaryan told lawmakers that many of the proposed controls depend on the creation of a centralised “Gambling Operator” system, which is still in the final stages of implementation.

Officials from the State Revenue Committee confirmed that a company has already been selected through a tender process, and that an agreement could be signed within weeks. The system would integrate operators and allow authorities to monitor compliance and apply restrictions more effectively.

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See also: Armenia advances proposal for centralised gambling monitoring system

A bill would force operators to add blocking tools and restrict access for vulnerable groups. Armenia.- The National Assembly of Armenia is debating a set of proposed legal reforms aimed at tightening control over online gambling. The initiative, presented by MP Hayk Sargsyan from the ruling Civil Contract faction, is being debated in the Parliamentary…