The gambling sector in Albania is facing a profound economic paradox: while new legislation aims to restore control and formalize the market, figures published by ALTAX show that real activity continues to develop mainly in the shadows. According to the analysis, the total online betting and gambling market could reach 150–250 million euros per year, while only 25–40% of this turnover passes through legal channels. The remaining 60–75% — is dominated by foreign platforms, VPNs and unregistered operators.
Losses of 7–12 billion lek per year and a deepening gap
According to ALTAX estimates, based on data from the DPT, AMLF and KLSH, the state loses 7 to 12 billion lek every year due to the normal functioning of the market, the lack of online licenses and the distribution of illegal activity on international platforms.
These losses are related to the lack of a 15% tax on GGR (net income of operators), non-payment of a 13–23% tax on individual profits over 5 million lekë, and non-collection of 20% VAT, both for digital services and for activities organized in the country.
In fiscal terms, this sector's evasion represents a direct blow to the state budget comparable to the annual financing of several important public institutions, or thousands of salaries in the education and health sectors.
Legal market growing, but far below real potential
The ALTAX report, based on official data from the DPT, AMLF and the Ministry of Finance, shows that in 2024, legal income from gambling was 2.3 billion lek, with a reported turnover of 20–25 billion lek.
In 2025, after partial liberalization, revenues reached 2.5–3 billion lek for 10 months, while for the full year 8–10 billion lek are projected. The contribution to total taxes remains modest: 0.7–1.1%, far from the sector's potential.
ALTAX considers this a slow-growth market, limited not by demand but by an unfinished regulatory architecture.
Why does evasion happen?
According to the analysis, the situation is directly related to the lack of bylaws. Law No. 155/2015, amended in 2024, provided for the opening of the online betting market and the licensing of up to 10 operators. However, the 11 bylaws, which define the technical rules for monitoring, licensing and fiscalization, have not been adopted within the legal deadline (October 1, 2024).
The result: the competition for licenses is suspended, legal operators cannot enter the market, while foreign operators dominate it. Poor monitoring technology also plays a role. The AMLF does not have an integrated national platform to track online transactions in real time — a common standard in EU countries.
Meanwhile, after thousands of physical outlets closed in 2019, betting simply moved online. Platforms like Bet365, 1xBet, and 22Bet are accessible via VPNs, making it impossible to enforce AKEP's technical blocks.
Where does the fiscal potential lie?
If the government manages to fully implement the law and create a centralized monitoring platform, ALTAX estimates that annual revenues from the sector could reach 12–18 billion lek, and the share of evasion would fall below 40% within two years,
The youth sports fund will generate 2–5 million euros per year and the legal turnover could reach 50–60 billion lek.
With this model, the contribution of gambling to the budget would be multiplied, going towards 2.5–3% of total taxes. /ekofin.al
