{"id":13258,"date":"2025-08-14T13:38:24","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T13:38:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mundovideo.com.co\/en\/?post_type=europe&#038;p=13258"},"modified":"2025-08-14T13:38:24","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T13:38:24","slug":"north-macedonia-pushes-forward-with-controversial-gambling-overhaul-amid-fierce-backlash","status":"publish","type":"europe","link":"https:\/\/www.mundovideo.com.co\/en\/europe\/north-macedonia-pushes-forward-with-controversial-gambling-overhaul-amid-fierce-backlash\/","title":{"rendered":"North Macedonia pushes forward with controversial gambling overhaul amid fierce backlash"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Skopje, August 13, 2025<\/strong> \u2013 North Macedonia is pressing ahead with sweeping changes to its <strong>Gambling Law<\/strong>, despite mounting protests from industry groups, operators, and economic analysts warning of severe consequences for the sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The amendments, greenlit by the government in July and now before parliament, are being framed by President <strong>Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova\u2019s nationalist coalition<\/strong> as a pillar of the country\u2019s <strong>anti-corruption drive<\/strong> and a necessary step toward <strong>EU accession<\/strong>. Key proposals include requiring casinos and slot machine clubs to be at least <strong>500 meters away from schools<\/strong>, an outright <strong>ban on gambling advertising<\/strong>, <strong>higher taxes and fees<\/strong>, the elimination of multiple-venue licenses, and the creation of a <strong>state monopoly over online gambling<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"700\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mundovideo.com.co\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/multigame-diamod-III-700-eng.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9622\" style=\"width:840px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mundovideo.com.co\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/multigame-diamod-III-700-eng.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.mundovideo.com.co\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/multigame-diamod-III-700-eng-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.mundovideo.com.co\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/08\/multigame-diamod-III-700-eng-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Supporters argue these measures will curb organized crime\u2019s influence, protect minors, and modernize regulation. However, trade associations <strong>ASOM<\/strong> and <strong>APIS<\/strong> warn that the reforms could force <strong>up to 70% of land-based venues<\/strong> to close, eliminate thousands of jobs, and wipe out an estimated <strong>\u20ac280 million<\/strong> in annual tax revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Watchdog group <strong>4H Agency<\/strong> agrees the bill addresses real issues but warns that a state-controlled online monopoly could drive players to unregulated platforms, undermining consumer protections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With over <strong>1,000 gambling venues<\/strong> making the industry one of the country\u2019s largest private employers, lawmakers now face the challenge of balancing social responsibility with economic stability as the debate intensifies.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Data from the Latvian Licensed Gambling Association (LLAB) shows that by mid-2025, online gambling captured 51% of total licensed revenue, continuing a trend that began in 2024.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13260,"menu_order":67,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[1488,57,4923,3184,105],"class_list":{"0":"post-13258","1":"europe","2":"type-europe","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"tag-ban","8":"tag-casinos","9":"tag-eu","10":"tag-europe","11":"tag-sports-betting","12":"entry"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.6 - 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