List of bookmakers in Albania

Betting in Albania

Albania will reintroduce legal sports betting, which was outlawed along with casinos and online gambling, in four years, on 1 January 2023.

The relevant decision was taken by the country’s authorities amid a budget deficit. The government expects that the legalisation of sports betting will bring in around €17 million in tax revenue annually.
Gambling has been banned in Albania since 31 December 2018. Around 4,300 betting shops have been closed across the country. Online gambling has also been banned. The exception is some licensed casinos.

History of online betting in Albania

Gambling was banned in Albania during the communist era and due to its growing popularity was legalised in 1991. This is despite Islam, which is the most dominant religion in the country and prohibits all forms of gambling.

The activity remained legal until early 2019, when Albania’s gambling law 75/2018 made most forms illegal. After the law came into force, the gambling industry was decimated: more than 4,000 establishments closed down. This resulted in a significant drop in tax revenue of approximately $51 million. To soften the blow, Albanian President Edi Rama authorised the creation of a special casino zone in the capital Tirana.

Key factors when choosing a bookmaker

Deposit and withdrawal options are one of the key factors that new players in the Albania consider when choosing a bookmaker. But they are far from the only ones. Our research shows that below are the five most important factors Albania punters consider when choosing an online betting site:

1. Secure transactions
2. A trustworthy reputation,
3. Free, easy and fast transactions,
4. Favourable / generous bonuses
5. Wide range of sports to bet on

Just like deposit and withdrawal options, the legal environment also affects which sports you can bet on.
Online betting sites tend to offer a wider selection of sports than retail bookmakers. Before choosing a bookmaker, look at what sports they offer, how in-depth they cover each one, whether they have the types of bets you want to place, and how their odds compare to the competition.

When it comes to reputation, don’t stop at word of mouth. Read our detailed bookmaker reviews and search the various sites on the AlbaniaGC’s public register. As mentioned above, the AlbaniaGC tracks all sanctions imposed against betting sites and keeps detailed records of complaints filed against them.
Finally, when comparing bonuses, current legislation requires betting sites to state all applicable terms and conditions. You are required to read the fine print. If you believe that a bonus was misleading or that a bookmaker has falsely advertised an offer, you can make a complaint to the AlbaniaGC.

How popular is sports betting in Albania?

Sports betting in Albania has seen significant growth in popularity in recent years, although it may not be as prevalent or culturally ingrained as it is in some other countries like the UK. Albania has a relatively small population compared to larger European countries, but sports betting still holds a significant presence in the country.

Several factors contribute to the popularity of sports betting in Albania:

• Regulatory Environment: Albania has regulated the gambling industry, including sports betting, providing a legal framework for operators and bettors. This has helped create a structured market and instill a level of trust among participants.
• Online Betting: The rise of online sports betting platforms has made it more convenient for Albanians to place bets on sports events. Many international and local bookmakers offer online betting services, allowing users to wager on various sports from their computers or mobile devices.
• Cultural Interest in Sports: Albania has a strong interest in sports, particularly football (soccer). Major football leagues and tournaments, both domestic and international, attract significant attention from Albanian fans, and betting on these events is common.
• Economic Factors: Like in many countries, sports betting can provide entertainment and the potential for monetary gains for participants. In Albania, where economic opportunities may be limited for some, sports betting may offer a form of leisure and a chance to win money.
• Advertising and Promotion: Betting companies often engage in advertising and promotion activities to attract customers. While regulations may restrict certain forms of advertising, promotions through various channels still reach potential bettors.
• Social Factors: As with many cultures, there may be social aspects to sports betting in Albania. Friends and family members may engage in betting together or discuss odds and outcomes, making it a social activity as well.

However, it’s essential to note that gambling, including sports betting, can also raise concerns about addiction and problem gambling. It’s crucial for Albania to have measures in place to promote responsible gambling and address any associated issues.

Overall, while sports betting may not be as widespread or deeply entrenched in Albanian culture as it is in some other countries, it still holds a notable presence and continues to grow in popularity.

How betting is regulated in Albania

The recent stringent regulations effective from January 2019 have made it difficult for punters to find a legitimate bookmaker. Any betting activity is banned mainly due to the fight against gambling addiction and match-fixing.

The Electronic and Postal Communications Regulatory Authority (The Electronic and Postal Communications Authority or AKEP) has blocked more than 1,500 betting domains and affiliates, adding another hurdle. As a result, most betting shops have left the country to avoid the hassle, leaving only a few behind.

In addition, even land-based casinos and betting shops are banned unless they are located in a tourist resort or hotel. There are rumours that there will soon be a state-controlled betting shop that will have full control over gambling activities; until then, however, players have to find ways around the restrictions.

? Country	Albania
? Currency	Euro
⚽ Popular Sports	Football, Basktball, Volleyball
? Most Popular Payment Methods	Visa, MasterCard, Paysafecard

Top 5 casino sites in Albania

1xbet

1xBet was founded in 2007 and is based in Russia. It is noteworthy that the website of the bookmaker 1xBet is translated into 36 languages. Being the leader in terms of the number of players, it has traditionally occupied high positions in the rating of bookmakers. The office is licensed by Curacao and has an official status.

The lineup of the 1xBet bookmaker features both traditional and unusual sports. The match list is extensive and covers a wide range of events. 1xBet has a low margin, which allows it to offer the highest odds compared to its competitors. With 1xBet you can bet on cyber sports and financial market, as well as on ordinary sports. The fast betting function is very conveniently implemented.

With one click you can place bets by setting the appropriate settings (e.g. fixed odds). One of the features of 1xBet is the possibility of conducting draws. There are a large number of them on the site, and all of them cause increased interest among users. 1xBet also boasts various bonuses.

BetWinner

BetWinner is one of those gambling houses that, although young and enthusiastic, can be listed alongside the most significant leaders in sports betting. It is a betting platform that boasts an active audience of over 400,000 players from all over the world.

BetWinner is extremely popular not only in its home country, Eastern Europe, but also throughout the EU and even in most countries where gambling is now active in Africa. The gambling operator provides you with a wide range of casino offers for the broad sports market.

BetWinner has an unusual and extremely rich bonus system. When you click on “Promos” in the main menu, you will be taken to a very content-rich new page where you can check out a lot of amazing promotions to take advantage of as an officially registered customer at this website.

GGbet

GGBet is an online gambling site that offers a bookmaker, a world-class cybersports section and a casino. Whilst there are plenty of betting options available at GGBet, the pride and joy of GGBet is undoubtedly the cybersports section.

In fact, it is often regarded as one of the biggest cyber sports betting sites in the world. This is why you’ll often find that GGBet sponsors some of the biggest tournaments around the world.
With plenty of payment options to choose from, it’s not hard to see why so many people love this great place.

Powbet

Powbet is one of the new online betting platforms that will be launched in 2021. The site covers betting markets on several sports such as football and basketball. The platform also covers betting markets on cyber sports games such as CSGO and League of Legends.

One of the best features of Powbet is that it offers betting markets on a wide range of cybersports and conventional sports. It also covers options we haven’t seen on other betting sites, such as volleyball, cycling, Kings of Glory, Mobile Legends and Starcraft 2.

In addition to sports betting and cybersports, the platform also offers casino-style games. Powbet offers a variety of live games and video slots. In addition to the list of features, there are several deposit options, including cryptocurrency payment options such as Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Slots Hammer

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