North Macedonia has shifted to a state-controlled model for online gambling, abandoning its previous system that allowed private participation. This transition marks the establishment of a complete monopoly over online gambling in the country. The new Law on Games of Chance and Entertainment Games became effective on July 14th, ending a significant era of regulation that had been in place since 2011.
Previously, private operators could manage online gambling platforms only through partnerships with the state, which retained a minimum 51% ownership stake and ultimate decision-making authority. This structure attracted foreign investors to form joint ventures with the state lottery, ensuring gambling activities remained within a licensed and taxed environment rather than pushing players toward unregulated sites.
Following the parliamentary elections in May 2024, the new government prioritized the overhaul of online gaming regulations. By September, authorities began revoking licenses from various private companies, including NOVO VLT, Mozzart, 77 BITS, Vezuv, and 2Win.mk, among others.
The new legislation prohibits any private company involvement in online gambling. The entire industry will now be managed by a fully state-owned joint-stock company. While private firms can still participate in the online gambling ecosystem, it will be strictly as technology or content suppliers, as the prior B2B licensing framework has been abolished.
Additionally, casinos and slot clubs are mandated to maintain a distance of at least 500 meters from primary and secondary schools. Operators will also need to demonstrate compliance with technical standards before initiating operations for any slot machines.
