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Draft Gambling Legislation Proposed in Albania

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In Albania and the government of Prime Minister Edi Rama has proposed legislation that would look to end the nation’s partial five-year prohibition on sports betting and gambling.

The Balkan country of approximately 2.8 million people outlawed all gambling not offered via state-sanctioned casinos in 2018 but now wants to reverse this move as the initial prohibition is believed to have failed in meeting its stated aim of substantially reducing organized crime.

The draft legislation composed by the nation’s Ministry of Finance and Economy would look to establish a regulated online gambling market featuring strict licensing, anti-money laundering and customer compliance directives. The measure’s language would also mandate that iGaming operators accept only digital payments rendered via ‘authorized agents’ such as Western Union or domiciled banks and financial institutions licensed by the Bank of Albania and hold on to punters’ personal data for a minimum of three years.

This measure from the Ministry of Finance and Economy would oblige iGaming operators to only accept wagers from registered players with such firms moreover required to guarantee winnings and keep a minimum of €1.5 million in a ‘designated bank account’ that should ‘never be less than 5% of all deposits made by players in the previous financial year’.

An additional provision of the draft legislation would compel all licensed iGaming operators to register with Albania’s National Business Centre, which is a process set to incorporate a detailed review of all shareholder and management interests so as to exclude those with criminal convictions or facing serious prosecution.

The measure is to furthermore look to establish a special fund to be financed by a 15% corporate income tax on iGaming operators for the support of sports, culture and welfare projects. State institutions are to correspondingly be allowed to pitch for some of this cash so as to top up any existing financing.

In the land-based realm and the draft legislation proposes requiring casino operators to pay a 15% corporate income tax and commit to depositing 0.4% of their annual turnover into this special fund. The measure goes on to suggest that the national lottery should hand over 5.4% of its annual turnover to this peculiar repository.

Albania was home to more than 4,700 gambling shops before the institution of the partial ban in 2018 while the intervening years have seen local law enforcement authorities conduct a number of operations to crack down on illicit wagering. The proposed legislation would also not look to place a limit on the number of licenses issued or accounts that can be simultaneously enjoyed.

Rama’s government declared that the ‘stringent requirements set forth in the law’ would look to ‘promote responsible gambling while discouraging illicit betting activities’ and create an additional revenue stream for a multitude of state-backed programs.

Balkans

A Successful Debut for SYNOT Group at BEGE Expo

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A Successful Debut for SYNOT Group at BEGE Expo
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The SYNOT Group participated in the prestigious BEGE (Balkan Entertainment and Gaming Expo) in Sofia for the first time this year. The event, one of the most significant gaming exhibitions in the Balkan region, held on November 27 and 28, with SYNOT presented as an exhibitor at booth no. 2.18.

Key companies within the SYNOT Group, including SYNOT W, SYNOT Games, and SYNOT Interactive, were represented at the expo. Visitors had the opportunity to discuss potential collaborations in both land-based and the online gaming industry.

“BEGE Expo was a great success for us. The exhibition in Sofia is renowned for its popularity across the Balkan region, and despite this being our first time exhibiting, our booth attracted a large number of visitors not only from Bulgaria but also from other countries in the region, such as the North Macedonia, Serbia, Croatia, Romania, Greece, Cyprus, Poland, and the Baltic states. During the two days of the expo, SYNOT’s sales team signed several deals, which is another evidence for the important role of our brand in this region,” said Stanislav Stanev, SYNOT Group’s International Business Development Director.

The MAGIC BALL LINK progressive multigame jackpot system attracted significant attention. This system offers a 4-level linked bonus jackpot common for all game titles. Visitors had the chance to try out eight popular linked games, including fan favourites such as Aztec Jaguar, Tiki Princess, and Legend of Medusa. MAGIC BALL LINK was showcased in modern UP2-32 cabinets, featuring cutting-edge design, three 32″ screens, and high-performance hardware components.

Another major highlight was the SUPER LINK system, offering up to 20 linked titles with a “linked bonus” and Pay-to-Win features. This system was displayed in both AWP and VLT versions within the elegant Eclipse FL-32 cabinets.

Visitors also explored further products such as the Explosive Games Premium+, Firebird Blue and Firebird Red gaming systems displayed in the UP1-27 and UP2-32 cabinets. These systems offer a wide range of games from classic fruit to themed ones, including Hold & Respin titles.

In the online gaming section, SYNOT Games showcased its extensive portfolio of online slots, while SYNOT Interactive presented its comprehensive iGaming solutions.

A notable milestone was the nomination of the MAGIC BALL LINK product for an award at the 15th BEGE Awards in the “Jackpot System of the Year 2024” category. This nomination further underscores the quality and innovation of SYNOT Group’s products.

“Participating in BEGE Expo represents another significant step in our expansion within the Balkan market. We were delighted by the interest in our products and held many productive discussions during the expo. We are proud to have been part of such a prestigious occasion this year,” said Roland Andrýsek, SYNOT Group’s Sales Director.

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Balkans

Gamanza Games launches in Bulgaria with inbet partnership

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Gamanza Games launches in Bulgaria with inbet partnership
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Gamanza Games has announced the launch of its Arcade Casino Games portfolio in a third regulated European market within Q4, this time going live in Bulgaria. This milestone is made possible through an exciting partnership with inbet, a leading operator in the Bulgarian gaming market. The collaboration brings Gamanza’s unique and engaging games to a new audience, marking an important step in the company’s international growth.

Having already achieved significant success in the regulated Swiss market and more recently in the Netherlands, Gamanza’s diverse portfolio has gained a strong reputation for its originality and innovative mechanics. Now, Bulgarian players can experience the thrill of Gamanza’s games, which promise to deliver a fresh and dynamic dimension to the local market.

Robert Civill, Chief Commercial Officer of Gamanza said of Gamanza Games’s latest market launch: “This launch continues the momentum of our expansion plans, with another exciting regulated market launch in Bulgaria. We are really proud to be launching with InBet, our partnership has progressed incredibly smoothly, and the brand offers a reliable and strong environment for our games to flourish. Together we’re adding variety to the gaming experience with fun and original content that appeals to a large audience.”

Casino & CRM Manager at inbet, Vasil Todorov added, “We are thrilled to announce the integration of Gamanza’s outstanding game portfolio on the inbet website. This partnership introduces an exciting array of innovative games to our users, reinforcing our commitment to delivering exceptional entertainment experiences. With Gamanza’s cutting-edge content and inbet’s extensive reach, we look forward to captivating players and driving success together in the iGaming industry.”

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Balkans

Amusnet’s Stoichkov #8 wins Online Game of the Year at the BEGExpo Awards 2024

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Online Game of the Year at the BEGE Awards 2024
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Amusnet’s celebrity slot, Stoichkov #8, is the Online Game of the Year at the BEGE Awards 2024. For the 15th time, the Association of the Gaming Industry in Bulgaria, honour the outstanding contributions of companies, organizations, and individuals driving positive growth within the gaming industry.

Stoichkov #8, a 5-reel, 40 fixed-pay-lines video slot, is the result of the company’s partnership with football legend Hristo Stoichkov. It brings together the worlds of gaming and football, celebrating the legacy of a true icon known for his dynamic playing style and intense competitive drive. Since its launch in June 2024, it has gained significant recognition, ranking among the top products in markets such as Spain, Bulgaria, Italy, and Argentina.

The provider’s outstanding presence at the 15th Balkan Entertainment & Gaming Expo, Amusnet, featured a well-curated selection across Online Casino, Live Casino and Land-based verticals. A major focus of the expo was presenting the Type S premium slot cabinets, which gained attention, together with AMUSeBOX – the multigame available for the slot machines featuring 52 internally developed casino titles. Games both available in Online Casino and sType S series are top performers like 20 Golden Coins, Deco, 40 Bulky Fruits, and Fruits & Gold, as well as Virtual 500x Vegas Roulette, Virtual 120x Space Roulette, and Virtual 72x Monaco Roulette.

Amusnet’s stand proved to be a premium hub of entertainment, with visits from many industry stakeholders and Bulgaria’s most famous gaming streamers. It emphasizes the company’s commitment to engaging with varied audiences and aligning its offerings with local preferences and broader market trends.

The 15th edition of BEGExpo drew over 85 exhibitors and thousands of visitors from across Europe and beyond; it highlighted cutting-edge innovations, including advanced slot machines, AI-driven analytics, and digital gaming advancements. For Amusnet, the 15th Balkan Entertainment & Gaming Expo offered a valuable platform to engage with industry leaders and stakeholders, strengthening the company’s role in advancing growth within the Balkan gaming market. As a leading provider in the region, the company leveraged the expo to strengthen its connections within the gaming community, aligning with BEGE’s emphasis on regional legacy and global recognition.

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