North Macedonia Gambling Law: Radical Reform on the Horizon

The law mandates the relocation of casinos, slot machine halls, and betting shops to at least 500 metres from schools, alongside a nationwide ban on gambling advertising. Taxes and fees for operators will rise, and the practice of opening multiple venues under a single licence will end. Supporters argue this could cut physical gambling presence by 70% and reduce youth exposure.

Most controversial is the introduction of a North Macedonia online gambling monopoly, granting exclusive rights to the state. Critics warn this will block private operators, push players toward unregulated sites, and undermine the very protections the law is supposed to achieve.

The North Macedonia casino regulations also face tightening, with relocation requirements and stricter oversight. This is significant in a country where gambling is the largest private-sector employer, supporting more than 10,000 direct jobs and contributing €280m in annual tax revenues.

Industry groups ASOM and APIS argue that the law embeds loopholes favouring certain operators, while creating disproportionate risks for smaller businesses. They warn of mass closures, job losses, and reduced fiscal contributions. 4H Agency notes that without a proper transition plan for workers and a robust enforcement framework, the law risks inflicting economic harm without delivering meaningful social protection.

The reforms follow years of political struggle over gambling regulation. Earlier amendments in 2024 were blocked by the president, but the new government under Prime Minister Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova now has the political capital to push changes forward. If enacted, the legislation will mark the most radical restructuring of North Macedonia’s gambling sector in decades, testing whether social policy goals can be balanced against fiscal sustainability and market stability.