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Albania to Re-legalise Sports Betting from January 1

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Albania is going to reintroduce legal sports betting as of 1 January 2023, four years after it, along with casinos and online gambling, was made illegal.

The decision, which has been on the cards since the summer, will bring much-needed revenue to the government, which faces a debt of over 90%, increasing pressure to subsidise rising energy costs, and calls to support the vulnerable amid the global crisis.

Effective as of the start of next year, sports betting games will now be legal, and it is estimated that some €17 million will be collected in tax each year.

All gambling, except a handful of licensed casinos, was prohibited as of 31 December 2018. Hundreds of betting shops and gambling sites were shut down, and efforts were made to block online sites.

However, gambling continued throughout the country in illegal betting and gambling shops, with arrests occurring almost weekly.

Momentum to legalise sports betting has been growing since August when a coalition of sporting stakeholders petitioned the government to ask for the reinstitution of regulated and supervised sports betting, arguing it can bring much-needed revenue to one of Europe’s poorest countries.

“We are not proposing to open the entire range of gambling, including electronic casinos or bingo halls. Our proposal includes total fiscal transparency, league-regulated online sports betting,” the petition states.

Stakeholders suggest that revenue generated from sports betting be used to support the country’s athletes. The petition specifies that betting should be allowed via certified operators, including local and international brands. In addition, they suggest an age limit and a maximum bet limit.

“The regulation of sports betting by law is a practice followed by many Western countries. In these countries, the income from sports betting is used to develop sports and sports infrastructure and to support the youth,” they argued.

Prime Minister Edi Rama commented on the push stating that if the decision goes ahead, extreme conditions will be imposed, and all revenue will go to sports, culture and youth.

“We will look at this very positively; we will set extreme conditions…these are guaranteed by large international companies, which operate worldwide and operate in the European Union area.”

He added: “I have been obvious that these revenues, which we calculate to be many times more than what we contribute every year, go to sports, culture and youth, but very clearly and dedicatedly, the lion’s share, the sport will take it.”

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BEGE Awards Nominations Now Open – Celebrating 16 Years of Industry Excellence!

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We are excited to announce that the nominations for the 16th edition of the prestigious BEGE Awards are officially open! As a key highlight of the Balkan Entertainment and Gaming Exhibition (BEGE), the largest and most influential event for gambling professionals in Eastern Europe, the awards continue to recognize outstanding achievements, innovation, and leadership within the gaming industry.

The BEGE Awards serve as a distinguished platform for industry pioneers – from gaming equipment and software developers to land-based and online operators, affiliates, payment service providers, media, and industry associations. Each year, the awards spotlight the most innovative solutions, strategies, and technologies shaping the future of gambling both in Europe and globally.

Over the past years, the BEGE Awards have become synonymous with excellence, celebrating companies and individuals who push the boundaries of innovation and set new standards in the gaming sector.

This year’s ceremony promises to be even more memorable as we mark the 16th anniversary of the awards. The event will take place on November 26th at the Megami Club, Sofia, followed by an amazing night at the BEGE Party. It will be an exceptional gathering of industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries, once again celebrating the very best in gaming.

We invite all qualifying companies and professionals to submit their entries and join us in celebrating excellence in the gaming industry. This year the categories are divided into five key groups: Online B2B, Online B2C, Land-based B2B, Land-based B2C, and Industry.

For nominations and further information, visit: https://www.balkangamingexpo.com/register-for-bege-awards-2025/

Submission Deadline: 1st of October

Let’s make the 16th edition of the BEGE Awards the most remarkable yet. Together, we shape the future of gaming!

The post BEGE Awards Nominations Now Open – Celebrating 16 Years of Industry Excellence! appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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CT Gaming Secures Certification for its Latest Multigame – Diamond King 5

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CT Gaming has announced that the newest addition to its multigame portfolio – Diamond King 5 – has now been officially certified for the Bulgarian market. This marks an important milestone for the company.

As part of the well-established Diamond King series, the new multigame brings even more excitement and opportunities for players. The package includes 40 games, of which 20 are linked to the progressive Diamond Tree Deluxe jackpot, adding extra layers of entertainment and winning potential. The remaining 20 titles are classic games, including two with a Buy Bonus feature, allowing players to dive directly into the bonus rounds.

Diamond King 5 combines well-known player favorites with the legendary Mega Jack trio – Aztec Gold, Slot-O-Pol Deluxe, and Champagne Party – along with a range of exciting new titles that are set to become audience hits. Just like with Diamond King 4, players can win bonuses and jackpots during the base game, promising an even more thrilling gaming experience. In addition to its exciting content, the multigame is compatible with two types of cabinets — the EZ Modulo Tower with a single vertical monitor, and the NEXT or EZ Modulo with three horizontally positioned monitors.

“The certification of Diamond King 5 is an important moment for us. This is a product in which we have invested the very best of everything we’ve created in the series so far. We are confident that it will build upon the success of the previous multigames and deliver outstanding results for both operators and players,” said Biser Bojanov, CEO of CT Gaming.

The certification of Diamond King 5 in Bulgaria is just the first step in its international rollout. In the coming months, the product is set to be introduced to other key markets, continuing CT Gaming’s mission to provide flexible solutions with excellent performance for operators and unforgettable experiences for players.

The post CT Gaming Secures Certification for its Latest Multigame – Diamond King 5 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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ELA Games Partners With Superbet to Expand Offerings in Serbia

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ELA Games, an innovative game development studio, announces its strategic partnership with Superbet, a tech and entertainment company operating in various key markets across the globe.

Founded in 2008, Superbet’s mission is to deliver exciting, technology-based entertainment in the sports and gaming industries. The company currently has a major presence in 12 countries, including Romania, Belgium, Poland, Serbia, and Brazil.

As part of the collaboration, Superbet will host various ELA Games titles on its Serbian platform, including creative, award-nominated Joker Winpot, high-quality designed It’s Shark Time 2, and renowned classic slot Flame Fruits Frenzy. Players in the region will have access to a diverse portfolio of games that prioritize visual quality, unique gaming experiences, and fun. ELA Games’ titles have a history of commercial success for operators due to their casino-centric features that boost growth metrics such as player acquisition and retention, GGR, and more.

Yaroslav Soloshenko, ELA Games’ Business Development Team Lead, commented on the partnership: “We’re excited to kick off our partnership with Superbet and grab a foothold in Serbia. We’ve identified the market as crucial to our expansion, so we’re looking forward to serving players in the region and becoming a well-known name. The ELA Games team is committed to producing the best games that provide unforgettable memories and fun experiences for all.”

Tanja Nauparac, Country Manager, Superbet Serbia, also commented: “Our company has established a regional reputation of being a champion of customer-centricity, due to the unique and immersive experience that we offer to our players. We are always looking at ways to improve the quality of this experience and diversify our product offering.

ELA Games is the right partner for us in Serbia, having a product portfolio with high quality and variety in terms of content. We are very pleased to start working with them and we look forward to great customer feedback.”

ELA Games continues to grow into one of the premier game development companies, balancing operator-friendly performance with exceptional player experiences. As the studio’s portfolio develops, platforms like Superbet will have more content to ensure its player base remains active, loyal, and satisfied.

The post ELA Games Partners With Superbet to Expand Offerings in Serbia appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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