Kosovo Online Casino

Kosovo is the only country in the Balkans where gambling is completely banned at the legislative level.

The decision to ban was made in 2019 after a number of criminal incidents at betting outlets, which caused large-scale public discussions.

Despite the complete ban, citizens' interest in online gambling remains high, and the government is considering the possibility of limited legalization of online betting and casinos under state control.

History and reasons for the ban

Until 2019, hundreds of gaming halls and bookmakers were actively working in Kosovo.

The gambling sector was regulated by Law No. 04/L-156 on Games of Chance" (2013), which allowed licensed activities under the Ministry of Finance.

During this period, more than 300 gambling companies operated in the country, including slots, poker and sports betting.

However, in March 2019, there were two high-profile murders of employees of bookmakers in Suharka and Liplyan. These incidents caused a resonance, and the government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Ramush Haradinaj, decided to immediately close all gambling establishments.

The Kosovo Parliament adopted amendments establishing:

a total ban on all forms of gambling;
cancellation of all licenses;
criminal liability for organizing or participating in gambling;
destruction of equipment seized as a result of raids.

Legislation

The current law is Law No. 06/L-155 on the Prohibition of Games of Chance (2019).

Main provisions:

all forms of gambling are prohibited - casinos, lotteries, online games, betting and bingo;
advertising and promotion of gambling is prohibited;

fines and criminal liability are provided for:

fine up to €500,000 for legal entities;
imprisonment of up to 10 years for organizers;
an exception is made only for the State Lottery of Kosovo (Lotaria e Kosovos), which has a limited right to conduct national circulations.

Monitoring compliance with the law is entrusted to the Ministry of the Interior and the Kosovo Tax Administration (ATK).

Current Market Situation

Since the ban in 2019, all casinos and betting rooms have been closed.

However, local analysts and NGOs estimate that the shadow gambling market continues to exist:

players use offshore online casinos (Curacao, MGA, Gibraltar);
transactions go through VPNs and e-wallets;
the volume of the illegal market is estimated at €200-300 million per year.

Popular offshore sites among residents of Kosovo:

1xBet, Stake, Bet365, BC. Game, 22Bet, Betano, Fairspin, Betwinner.

Online gambling

Although online casinos are officially banned, the state does not have the technical ability to block international sites.

Many players use VPNs and foreign payment services to bet or play slots.

The main directions of illegal online gambling:

video slots and live-casino;
sports betting and eSports;
poker tournaments;
cryptocasino (Stake, BC. Game, Fairspin).

In 2024, the Ministry of Finance of Kosovo, together with international EU experts, began work on a draft regulation of online gambling, providing for:

creation of a national register of operators;
online bidding licensing;
filtering illegal sites;
taxation and control of financial flows.

Economic impact of the ban

Until 2019, the gambling industry brought:

more than €20 million in taxes annually;
about 5,000 jobs;
support for sports and charitable initiatives.

After the ban:

thousands of employees lost their jobs;
part of the business went underground or emigrated to Albania and North Macedonia;
the state has lost tens of millions of euros in potential tax revenues.

Economists note that the absolute ban did not solve social problems, but only moved the market into the gray zone.

Payment methods and circumvention of restrictions

Since gambling is prohibited, official banks and fintech companies block gambling-related operations.

However, players use alternative channels:

VPN access to offshore sites;
e-wallets Skrill, Neteller, Revolut;
cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT);
Paysafecard prepaid cards.

Such methods are difficult to track, which complicates the fight against illegal operators.

Responsible play and social aspect

There are no official Responsible Gaming programs due to the ban on gambling.

However, non-governmental organizations, including Qendra pör Köshillim dhe Parandalim tö Varösisö, run awareness campaigns about the risks of addiction and support former players.

The main problems are:

lack of a government strategy to prevent addiction;
weak psychological support of the population;
the growth of illegal advertising through Telegram and social networks.

Prospects for legalization

Despite the official ban, in 2024 the Kosovo government began discussing the possibility of limited legalization of online gambling, following the example of Albania and North Macedonia.

Measures under consideration include:

the creation of the State Gambling Agency under the Ministry of Finance;
licensing of 3-5 large operators with strict control;
Real-time monitoring system integration
Responsible Gaming mandatory measures.

According to preliminary estimates, partial legalization can return to the budget up to €25 million annually and reduce shadow turnover.

Challenges and challenges

lack of a legal licensing mechanism;

high levels of illegal activity;
dependence on cryptocurrencies and offshore services;
the need to adapt legislation to EU standards;

low level of financial control.

Today, Kosovo is at a crossroads between a complete ban and a possible modernization of its gambling policy.

The complete ban of 2019 did not destroy gambling, but only pushed it into the shadows.

The possible introduction of regulated online gambling controlled by the state can restore tax revenues, create jobs and protect players.

If the government implements the European regulatory model, Kosovo will be able to move from a ban to a transparent and responsible gambling market, ensuring a balance between control, economy and social security.