Is online gambling legal in North Macedonia?

Legal overview

North Macedonia regulates gambling through the Law on Games of Chance and Entertainment Games. A new version of the law was adopted by the Assembly on 29 June 2026 and entered into force on 14 July 2026, replacing the framework in place since 2011. Land-based casinos, betting shops and slot clubs remain open to private operators under licences and permits issued by the Ministry of Finance, with new limits such as a minimum distance of 500 metres from primary and secondary schools.

Online gambling is reserved for the state. Under the previous law, internet games of chance could only be organised by an entity in which the State Lottery held at least 51% of the capital, which led to joint ventures with private partners; several private platforms were shut down in 2024 after the government took the view that only one such entity could operate. The 2026 law goes further: lottery, electronic and internet games of chance may only be organised by a company wholly owned by the state, which can hire private technology and content suppliers through public calls. The existing organiser of electronic games may continue under the old rules until 31 December 2026, and the fully state-owned model applies from 1 January 2027. Online electronic games are taxed at 15% of gross gaming revenue and online lottery games at 6% of stakes.

Foreign online casinos have no licence route and their websites are blocked. The Ministry of Digital Transformation orders the Agency for Electronic Communications to have network operators restrict access to illegal gambling sites, and by its latest announcement 307 websites had been banned. Gambling advertising must state that participation is prohibited for persons under 18 and that gambling can cause addiction.