The ambitious overhaul of North Macedonia’s gambling laws has come to a sudden halt. After months of debate, the Law on Gambling and Entertainment was removed from the parliamentary agenda and sent back to the government for revisions.
The delay has left local operators in a state of regulatory limbo, unsure of the future of their physical and digital operations.
The Distance Rule Panic
The most contentious element of the bill was the “500-meter rule,” which would have required all land-based casinos and slot halls to be located at least 500 meters away from primary and secondary schools. Industry groups warned that such a buffer would effectively force the closure of 50% of the country’s physical gaming venues, including luxury casinos inside high-end hotels.
Relocating these established businesses is cost-prohibitive for many, leading to warnings of mass job losses. The gambling sector is a major private employer in North Macedonia, and a market contraction of this scale would significantly impact the national budget through lost tax revenue.
Advertising Bans and Tax Hikes
Beyond the distance requirements, the proposed reform included a total ban on all gambling advertising and a significant increase in licensing fees and operating taxes. Government representative, Deputy Prime Minister Izet Mexhiti has defended these measures as vital for protecting minors, but operators argue the strategy is counterproductive.
“Operators fired back with a familiar argument. They warned that making the legal market too expensive and restrictive would just drive local players straight into the arms of illegal, offshore betting websites,” the report noted.
With the bill now back in the hands of the administration, the industry is closely monitoring whether the government will soften the distance requirements or provide a more realistic transition period for the next version of the legislation.
