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Montenegro’s overhaul is driven by alignment with European standards (AML, consumer protection, fiscal transparency) as the country advances its EU ambitions. Authorities frame the law as the first full refresh in two decades, aimed at bringing order to a sector long seen as under-regulated. The statute formally took effect at the start of August.

Local backlash was immediate. A group of domestic operators warned of protests/strikes during the July debate, and the licensed-operators’ association Montenegrobet branded the final package a “declaration of eviction.” The rhetoric underscores fears that tougher rules and higher costs could destabilize the regulated market.

How the new market will be structured

The law replaces concessions with an approval-based licensing regime. Headline terms include a €2 million licence fee, 15-year licences for casinos (including online casinos) and 8-year terms for bookmakers/slots. A 270-day transition allows concessionaires to keep operating while they reapply within 180 days; one-off €2 million concession fees already paid are partially refundable pro-rata to the remaining concession term.

The state will also establish a state-owned lottery monopoly. On the player-protection side, the Act strengthens responsible-gaming obligations and introduces a formal self-exclusion mechanism, with operators required to action exclusion requests and notify the regulator, alongside explicit minors’ protections and mandatory problem-gambling information.

Compliance costs and advertising limits

Costs are rising. In addition to the €2 million licence, monthly levies for operators are increasing by 50%. Player registration is mandatory for deposits from €50 and winnings from €300, and operators must maintain databases of all players, bets, and payouts.

Marketing is sharply curtailed: TV/radio ads are banned from 06:00–22:00 (including live sports), broader media/online ads are largely limited to sports outlets and dedicated website sections, OOH is restricted to venue façades and operator vehicles, direct calls to play are prohibited, and addiction/minors warnings are compulsory across materials. The government argues these curbs, paired with stricter audits and enforcement, will raise standards; operators warn that higher burdens plus ad limits could compress margins, push players offshore, and ultimately dent tax takes and sports funding.

Source: https://ggate.media/news/izmenenie-igaming-rynka-chernogorii/