Casinos in Albania

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Introduction

Albania's land-based casino industry has gone through a whipsaw of major changes over the past decade or so. While from the outside looking in some of these changes might appear to be knee-jerk reactions, they are more likely reflections of a government trying to reach a balance between tight control of an industry that has at times gotten out of hand and a desire to give the public what the people want as their attitudes toward gambling shift.

A few years ago there were dozens of casinos in Albania but now there are only a handful and those are highly regulated concerns that are only allowed to operate in highly controlled casino zones. The comeback began in a casino district in the heart of Tirana and it continues with online sports betting being introduced again in 2024.

Stick around to learn more about the history, legislation, popular gambling spots, and the future of casinos in Albania as the government works to balance the often competing interests that create tension in the industry like entertainment, regulation, and the economic benefits as well as potential harms that gambling can bring to any country.

History of Gambling in Albania

Albania's gambling industry was booming in the early 2010s with 40-50 casinos and thousands of sportsbetting venues in operation across the country. However, concerns about social issues like gambling addiction and corruption in sports including match-fixing triggered a massive pullback of gambling liberties in the country. By 2018 nearly all of the casinos had been closed leaving a single venue - the gaming floor at the Regency Hotel in Tirana, managed by Apex-al/Adria Entertainment.

It wasn’t just the casinos that were shut down, the government also banned sports betting, horse and greyhound racing, and all types of online gaming. All of a sudden regulation seemed to have a single goal; to lower gambling's impact on society. With the overall reduction in all gambling, many of the problems associated with it went away, but some simply went underground. Widespread gambling was curbed or eliminated, but the industry couldn’t help problem gamblers and no revenue flowed into the state.

Deputy Prime Minister Erion Brace signed legislation in 2020 to set up an exclusive gambling zone in Tirana. The district is large enough to pencil in some landmarks like the Toptani Centre, and Skanderbeg Square. The concentration of casino gambling activities gives the government the opportunity to regulate centralized activity and still collect revenues from the industry, especially the funds that come from tourists.

Legislation and Jurisdiction

Albania's gambling laws are some of the most strict in Europe, but recent legislative activity suggests that liberalization may be returning to the market albeit in a controlled fashion. Companies that want to open a casino inside the gambling zone have to meet strict standards, including minimum capital requirements and demonstrated experience in the gambling sector with a large minimum turnover in the previous year of operations.

Legislation passed in 2024 overturned the 2019 ban on online sports betting and allowed the activity to return under a tightly regulated framework. Parliament’s adoption of Law No. 18/2024 shows a growing willingness to accept certain forms of gambling to stimulate economic activity while maintaining strict oversight. It’s unclear if further liberalization will happen any time soon.

While liberalization is happening again in a piecemeal fashion, segment by segment, the government has not relaxed its stance on illegal gambling even though complete prohibition has proved elusive for regulators in disparate jurisdictions all around the globe.

A report in 2023 showed that despite the government’s efforts, almost half of all internationally popular online gambling sites were accessible to Albanians at home. While the move to liberalize the industry was fought from most quarters, the government maintained and ruled the day with the knowledge that illegal betting continued unabated during the five years it was unregulated. At least by taxing and regulating the activity revenues can be generated and some players can be protected. It is substantially true that every Lek bet with a licensed operator removes a Lek from the black market and although the relationship may not be one-to-one, it is almost certain that some harm reduction occurs.

Popular Spots and Games

Albania's casino industry is limited compared to some of its neighbors, but there are a few casinos in the zones and they are all decent places to play.

Regency Casino Tirana

Located inside a luxury 5-star hotel, this casino is Albania’s flagship gambling destination thanks to the earlier closures outside the casino zone. Operated by Apex-al/Adria Entertainment, the casino features a good mix of games spread across about 20 tables, like roulette, blackjack, and poker, along with about 240 slot machines. Its location in the capital makes it a good choice for visitors and locals.

Marina Casino, Vlorë

This casino is in the coastal city of Vlorë. Maritim Marina Bay Resort & Casino offers a smaller, more intimate gambling experience. What it lacks in scale and prominence it more than makes up for sitting right on the beach at the seaside. Fine dining next to the deep blue waters of the Albanian Riviera on the Mediterranean Sea.

International Casino, Tirana

Heading back to the capital city gambling zone we find International Casino located on Skanderbeg Square in the Tirana International Hotel, this casino is only a little bit smaller with 150+ Apex and NOVOMATIC slots but it is also very well-appointed. The international flavor of the casino is decidedly Asian in nature with themes running deep into the culinary experience and signage in Korean and perhaps other languages. Look for blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and Hold’em Poker on any given night. The casino is open 24/7/365.

Conclusion

Albania’s casino industry is somewhat unique given the reset the government instituted to crack down on organized crime and to protect players from unbridled addiction. Limiting gambling to a single venue in the capital and then expanding the zone and creating others when regulatory confidence allows is something regulators in other jurisdictions could study if compliance ever becomes an issue under their purview. The reset seems to have been done in compliance with international standards organizations.

The nearly overnight closure of thousands of betting shops, slot halls, and all online activity was a harsh measure, but one we’ve seen in other markets. In the rearview mirror, as sportsbetting is again allowed online and other liberalizations may occur, it appears to look more methodical than knee-jerk reactive. The most important thing is that the people of Albania and those who choose to travel there have 5-star luxury hotels and other venues now where they can gamble on the beach or in the middle of the city if they want to.