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Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Although the law on online betting has been in force since April 2024, the government has not yet approved the bylaws that enable the granting of licenses. The Minister of Finance, Petrit Malaj, stated that the process is ongoing, but without giving a concrete deadline, while behind the scenes there are reports of clashes and strong interests for the 10 licenses provided for by the law...
The government continues to hold back the bylaws for the reopening of sports betting. Although the new law was approved in February 2024, to date the bylaws that would enable the full reopening of lotteries have not been published.
The Minister of Finance appeared before reporters today to talk about the government's decisions and was asked by reporters why this process is being held hostage. Malaj did not give a date for when the bets will be opened, stating that it will be very soon, a statement that we have been hearing for two years.
"The Ministry of Finance is working on bylaws for betting. There is also an act that was approved today at the government meeting and very soon all the necessary acts will be issued in order to enable online betting. Work is required, international expertise has been obtained in order to be in accordance with international standards," said Malaj.
On April 1, 2024, the law allowing online betting came into force, according to which the Ministry of Finance was required to issue bylaws by July 2024 and submit them to the government.
By September 2024, the acts were to be approved by the government, while the Ministry of Finance, as the responsible department, was to have selected and provided 10 companies with licenses for online betting activities by October of that year. But behind the scenes, a huge fight is taking place for these licenses, as people close to the prime minister, people from the underworld, etc. have entered the competition.
According to data provided to "Pamphlet" by the Ministry of Finance, over 30 applications for online betting licenses have been made to the Gambling Supervisory Authority. Of these, the majority are from companies controlled by Rama's clan and family members, while the rest are Albanian and foreign companies that claim to operate in accordance with international standards.
But according to the law approved by the government itself, only 10 licenses can be granted and those only to Albanian companies with majority foreign ownership, which will operate within the territory of Albania.
The impasse arose precisely here, as Babloku's clients do not meet the criteria and according to the law, the licensed companies must receive the licenses. Faced with this pressure, Rama himself has given an order to suspend the process of granting licenses, as he cannot decide which ones to "leave out". The limitation to 10 licenses has brought strong clashes among the government's clients themselves, while characters from the criminal world have also entered the dance. / Pamphlet
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