Balkans

Albanian Socialist Party Pulls Gambling Draft Law from Parliamentary Vote

Published

3 months ago

February 15, 2024

Alan Campbell

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Update at 15:30 CET (15 Feb. 2024):

Under the direction of the Speaker of the Assembly, Mrs. Lindita Nikolla, the Assembly convened today in the next plenary session.

Under the conditions of holding an abnormal session, caused by the actions of the parliamentary opposition, the session immediately began with the voting of bills according to the agenda.

The session adopted two bills and two project decisions.

The bill “For an addition to law no. 7651, dated 21.12.1992 ‘On official holidays and memorial days'”, as amended, was approved with 74 votes in favor.

The bill “For some additions and amendments to law no. 155/2015, ‘On gambling in the Republic of Albania'”, as amended, was approved with 72 votes in favor. Also, the respective amendments for this bill were approved with 72 votes in favor.

The project decision “For some changes in the Assembly decision no.127/2018 ‘On the approval of the structure, staff, and categorization of job positions of the Institute of Statistics, INSTAT'”, was approved with 74 votes in favor.

The project decision “For the approval of the organizational structure, staff, and classification of salaries of part-time employees of the Central Election Commission”, was approved with 74 votes in favor.

The Albanian parliament was about to vote to reverse a five-year-old ban on online sports betting as the government admitted that it had failed to control the illegal activity. The proposed draft law, which would permit licensing for ten betting companies with prior experience, was scheduled to be voted on Thursday, February 8, 2024, during the plenary session. However, Bledi Cuci, the Chairman of the Socialist Party, unexpectedly withdrew the said law without providing an explanation.

“At the request of the Socialist Party, it was requested to withdraw from the discussion of the draft law on gambling,” the Speaker of the Parliament, Lindita Nikolla, said. “It was approved with 74 votes in favor.”

Nevertheless, the law on allowing online betting activities in Albania shall be returned for a vote in the parliament. After withdrawing from the vote in the session, the parliamentary group of the Socialist Party has decided to modify at least two of the 33 articles.

Among the proposed amendments, the revised draft includes a minimum requirement for foreign shareholders to hold a minimum of 30% stake in competing companies and/or organisations alongside a mandate for substantial experience in the gambling sector across at least three European countries over a period of no less than three years.

Moreover, adjustments to the re-establishment fund have been proposed, with an increase from the initial allocation of 20 million lek to a minimum of 40 million lek. Additionally, several provisions have been also introduced aiming to limit the influence of betting organizers by prohibiting them from sponsoring sports clubs. Furthermore, the roles of the President of the National Football Federation as well as the President of the Olympic Committee in the Licensing Commission have been eliminated.

Additionally, the proposed legislation act is also trying to strengthen oversight with a new clause that mandates state supervision over the activities of concessionary companies responsible for developing and maintaining the central online monitoring system. This oversight will be carried out by the Licensing Commission through regular audits.

Finally, changes were also made in the articles on the winning rate of national lottery players, which was reduced from 80% to ‘not less than 50%’.

This article has been written by Efstathios Pappas – Business Development Associate at Novibet

Up Next

KartRider: Drift Introduces All-New Features with RISE Update. Collaboration with Automobili Lamborghini Brings Players Three New Karts

Don't Miss

GR8 ICE London Highlights: 3 New Clients & LatAm Expansion Plans

Click to comment

Balkans

Wazdan further expands European footprint with mrbit.bg partnership

Published

2 days ago

April 30, 2024

George Miller

Wazdan further expands European footprint with mrbit.bg partnership

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Wazdan, the gain-focused developer behind some of the world’s most rewarding casino game experiences, is continuing its impressive European expansion after signing a deal with mrbit.bg, a Bulgarian-based top-tier casino operator.

Through this partnership, Wazdan is bringing its acclaimed collection of player-favourite slots to mrbit.bg’s platform, such as Power of Gods™: Hades, Sizzling Eggs™ and the entire Hot Slot™ series.

mrbit.bg’s customers will also get to experience Wazdan’s signature engagement-boosting features, including the incredibly popular Hold the Jackpot™ bonus round, Cash Infinity™ and Sticky to Infinity™. These mechanics have proven to drive player retention and casino revenue across numerous regulated markets.

One of the fastest-growing casino brands in Europe, mrbit.bg boasts a constantly expanding customer base, alongside being one of the few operators in Bulgaria with official mobile apps for increased availability.

Andrzej Hyla, Chief Commercial Officer at Wazdan, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Mr. Bit, an established operator with a strong presence in several key European markets. Their player-centric approach aligns perfectly with our focus on designing immersive, feature-rich games.

“By launching our top-performing titles on mrbit.bg’s platform, we are able to extend our award-winning content to an even wider audience. This collaboration is an exciting milestone in our European growth strategy.”

Anastasia Ardelean, Head of Marketing at mrbit.bg, added: “Our team has been preparing long and hard to enter the Bulgarian market and finally we have done it! Players can enjoy amazing slots not only on the mrbit.bg website, but also in our official applications, which are available in the most popular stores: Google Play and Apple Store.

“I sincerely thank the Wazdan team for their cooperation. Together we are providing a new level of service to the Bulgarian market, and the quality will continue to increase.”

Balkans

CT Gaming to Showcase its Latest Products at the Belgrade Future Gaming Exhibition

Published

3 days ago

April 29, 2024

Niji Narayan

Reading Time: < 1 minute

CT Gaming is going to showcase its latest products at the Belgrade Future Gaming exhibition, which will take place on May 28–29 in Belgrade, Serbia. At its booth, the company, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, will present a curated selection of products and solutions tailored to the preferences of local customers.

CT Gaming will present the slot machines Next 27/27/27 and EZ Modulo 32/32/32, the multigame packages Diamond King 3 and Mermaid’s Quest, as well as the casino management system – Rhino.

The spotlight at the stand will be on Diamond King 3, the newest multigame from the Diamond King series. It includes 50 captivating games that combine classic titles with exciting new ones, as well as the legendary trio from Mega Jack – Aztec Gold, Champagne 20, and Slot-O-Pol, with enhanced graphics and captivating concepts. 20 of the games are linked to the 3-level progressive Diamond Tree Jackpot.

“The return of the legendary trio from Mega Jack reminds us of one of the company’s first major breakthroughs, which continues to reap success. By reviving the three classic Mega Jack games, we allow customers to experience our legacy in a new and modern way,” Biser Bozhanov, Director of Strategy and Business Development at CT Gaming, said.

The casino management system – Rhino has new and improved functionalities, combining everything necessary for managing gaming halls of all kinds.

“Serbia is one of the most valuable markets, and over the years, we have established long-term and strong partnerships that we look forward to further strengthening during this event,” Biser Bozhanov said.

Balkans

Expanse Studios Launches in Bulgaria with Inbet

Published

5 days ago

April 26, 2024

Alan Campbell

Reading Time: < 1 minute

Expanse Studios, a leader in online gaming innovation, has secured a Bulgarian iGaming license and is now live on Inbet’s website. This expansion brings Expanse Studios’ popular game offerings including turn-based strategies gamified for iGaming, classic slots, traditional card games and the highly-acclaimed ones like Titan Roulette, Clown Fever Deluxe, Wild Icy Fruits, White Wild Whale and Joker Poker to Bulgarian players.

Diverse Gaming Portfolio Now Available to Bulgarian Players

With the Bulgarian market entry, Expanse Studios introduces a versatile gaming experience to Inbet’s platform. The offerings include a dynamic range of games tailored to diverse player preferences:

Turn-based strategy games: Leveraging gamification, these games transform traditional strategy gameplay into engaging iGaming experiences, suitable for both novice and experienced players.
Classic slots: Players will enjoy a variety of themed slots that combine traditional gameplay with modern graphics and sound.
Traditional card games: A selection of popular card games offer something for every card game enthusiast.
Titan Roulette: This standout feature, known for its immersive experience and innovative design, continues to be a favorite among roulette players.

Commitment to Quality and Compliance

Expanse Studios not only cultivates a diverse gaming library but also adheres to stringent regulatory standards to ensure a secure and fair gaming environment. The acquisition of the Bulgarian iGaming license is a testament to Expanse Studios’ commitment to compliance and excellence in the gaming industry.

The partnership between Expanse Studios and Inbet marks a significant milestone in Expanse Studios’ expansion efforts. By combining Expanse Studios’ innovative gaming solutions with Inbet’s established market presence, both entities are set to offer a superior gaming experience to players in Bulgaria and potentially beyond. As Expanse Studios continues to develop and release new games monthly, Bulgarian players can look forward to a continually evolving and enriching gaming landscape.