Casino and Gambling Regulation in North Macedonia – New Law 2026

KEY TAKEAWAYS The Law on Games of Chance and Entertainment Games was adopted on 29 June 2026 and entered into force on 14 July 2026. Casino licenses: issued by the Government within 90 days of application; valid for 6 years; covers a single premises. License fee: EUR 750,000 (Article 69). Deposit/bank guarantee: EUR 375,000 base + EUR 1,250 per slot machine (Article 72). Monthly table fees: EUR 5,000 per roulette table; EUR 2,500 per another table (Article 77). New: prior Ministry of Finance consent required for ownership changes and management appointments (Articles 67–68). New: GPS positioning required on all gaming machines, VLTs and electronic terminals, connected to the Public Revenue Office (Article 27). New: strict advertising prohibitions — no exterior ads, no illuminated signage, no ads targeting minors. New: 500-metre minimum distance between gaming premises and primary/secondary schools.

 

North Macedonia’s new Law on Games of Chance and Entertainment Games was adopted by the Assembly on 29 June 2026 and entered into force on 14 July 2026. It replaces the previous regulatory framework and introduces significantly stronger requirements for licensing, corporate governance, anti-money laundering compliance, advertising and technological controls. All financial figures in this guide are verified against the text of the law. This page is part of our practice in business and corporate law. For related corporate compliance questions, see our guide on 7 compliance risks for managers in North Macedonia.

Casino License — Who Can Apply and How

A casino license is issued by the Government of the Republic of North Macedonia, following an application submitted to the Ministry of Finance. Under Article 66 of the new law, the Government must decide within 90 days of submission. If the application is incomplete, the Ministry of Finance notifies the applicant, who has up to 30 days to provide the missing documents — this period does not count towards the 90-day deadline. The license is:

• Valid for a period of six years (Article 69);
• Covers a single, specifically identified business premises (Article 71);
• Subject to a requirement that the organizer begins conducting casino games within 15 days of receipt of the license, having first provided proof of payment of 50% of the licence fee (Article 11).

For official information on currently issued licenses, see the Ministry of Finance license register.

Financial Requirements

Casino operators must meet the following financial requirements under the new law:

• License fee: EUR 750,000 (Article 69) — 50% payable upon license issuance, the remaining 50% in equal annual instalments over the license period (Article 13);
• Deposit or bank guarantee: EUR 375,000 base amount, plus EUR 1,250 per slot machine installed in the premises (Article 72);
• The deposit or guarantee must be held at a bank with a registered seat in North Macedonia.

Once the casino is operational, ongoing table fees apply (Article 77):

• EUR 5,000 per month per roulette table;
• EUR 2,500 per month per another casino table.

Table fees are payable by the 15th of each month for the preceding month. The operator must also submit monthly income reports to the Ministry of Finance by type of game.

A new feature of the 2026 law is the capital-based limit on the number of licenses a company may hold (Article 33): each additional license of the same type requires the company’s registered share capital to meet a cumulative minimum, promoting financial stability and preventing excessive market concentration.

Corporate Governance — Fit-and-Proper and Prior Consent

The new law introduces mandatory prior consent from the Ministry of Finance for two key corporate changes, each subject to a fee of EUR 1,000:

• Changes in ownership structure or registered share capital (Article 67) — the casino operator must obtain prior Ministry of Finance consent before any such change takes effect;
• Appointment of members of management and supervisory bodies (board of directors, management board, supervisory board) (Article 68) — prior consent is required before any new management appointment.

The operator must also notify the Ministry of Finance without delay of any change in data or circumstances affecting casino operations — including changes in authorized representatives and persons managing company affairs (Article 70).

These provisions implement fit-and-proper requirements aligned with MONEYVAL recommendations, strengthening AML/CFT compliance and market integrity across the gaming sector.

Location Requirements — 500-Metre Rule

The new law introduces a minimum distance requirement: gaming premises of certain operators may not be located within 500 meters of a primary or secondary school. Operators whose existing premises fall within this restricted zone must assess their compliance position and may need to take remedial action.

Advertising — Prohibited Practices

For the first time, the new law expressly prohibits specific forms of gambling advertising. The following are not permitted:

• Advertising on the exterior of gaming premises;
• Illuminated advertising and other forms of aggressive visual promotion;
• Advertising that presents gambling as a means of achieving financial success or resolving personal or social problems;
• Advertising that directly or indirectly encourages minors to participate in gambling;
• Use of business names or branding that do not correspond to the type of game covered by the operator’s license.

Operators must review all exterior signage, promotional materials and digital advertising for compliance with these new restrictions.

GPS Monitoring of Gaming Equipment

Under Article 27, every slot machine, video lottery terminal (VLT) and electronic gaming terminal installed in a slot machine club, casino or other gaming premises must be fitted with a GPS location system. The GPS must be in continuous connection with the Public Revenue Office, enabling ongoing monitoring of the location of licensed equipment and preventing the use of machines at unlicensed or unregistered locations.

State Monopoly on Lottery and Internet Games

Article 7 confirms that the right to organize lottery games of chance (except closed-type tombolas) and electronic and internet games of chance belongs exclusively to the Republic of North Macedonia and must be exercised through a state-owned company. The minimum registered capital for such a company is EUR 2,500,000 (Article 35). Private operators may not organize these categories of games.

Promotional Prize Giveaways — Permit Required

Under Article 10 of the new law, the organization of prize giveaway games (giveaway) requires a permit from the Ministry of Finance. Companies running promotional prize competitions must obtain the relevant permit and pay the prescribed fee before proceeding.

Casino Operating Rules

The following operational rules apply under the new law:

• Casino rules and the casino rulebook are adopted by the organizer and must be conspicuously displayed for players before the start of each game (Articles 73–75);
• Persons under 18 years of age may not participate in games of chance or enter casino premises (Article 23);
• The organizer must maintain the number and type of slot machines and tables specified in the license; changes require Ministry of Finance approval (Article 76);
• Monthly income reporting to the Ministry of Finance by type of game is mandatory (Article 77(3));
• The organizer must maintain a supervisory information system connecting all gaming machines (Article 26);
• Continuous audio-video surveillance with recording is required throughout the casino premises (Article 80(4));
• The casino may operate 24 hours a day, every day of the year (Article 80);
• The value of promotional tokens issued by the casino may not exceed 2% of monthly revenue (Article 78);
• The casino must have a cashier and a secure area for storing money and valuables; an exchange office is mandatory; a catering facility may also operate on the premises (Article 81);
• Winnings must be paid within a period set in the game rules, which may not exceed 60 days from the date the winning was achieved (Article 79).

 

Practical Checklist

For existing and prospective casino operators in North Macedonia, verify the following under the new 2026 law: (1) License status and premises — confirm your license is valid, the licensed premises match actual operations, and the number and type of tables and machines correspond to what is approved. (2) Ownership and management changes — obtain prior Ministry of Finance consent (fee: EUR 1,000) before any change in ownership structure, share capital, or management body appointments. Non-compliant changes may be invalid. (3) School distance check — measure the distance between your gaming premises and any primary or secondary schools. If under 500 meters, seek legal advice immediately. (4) GPS installation — install GPS positioning systems on every slot machine, VLT and electronic terminal, connected to the Public Revenue Office. (5) Advertising audit — remove all exterior advertising and illuminated signage. Review all promotional materials, digital advertising and business name/branding for compliance with the new content restrictions. (6) Deposit/guarantee recalculation — recalculate the required deposit or bank guarantee: EUR 375,000 base plus EUR 1,250 per slot machine currently installed. Ensure the deposit held at your bank matches. For legal assistance, contact our business law team.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

When did the new gambling law enter into force?

The Law on Games of Chance and Entertainment Games was adopted by the Assembly of North Macedonia on 29 June 2026 and entered into force on 14 July 2026, the day after its publication in the Official Gazette.

How much does a casino license cost under the new law?

The license fee is EUR 750,000 (Article 69 of the law). Fifty percent is paid at the time of license issuance and the remaining fifty percent is paid in equal annual instalments over the six-year license period. In addition, the operator must maintain a deposit or bank guarantee of EUR 375,000 plus EUR 1,250 per slot machine installed.

What are the new consent requirements for management changes?

Under Articles 67 and 68 of the new law, a casino operator must obtain prior written consent from the Ministry of Finance before: (a) any change in the ownership structure or registered share capital of the company; and (b) any appointment of members of the management or supervisory board. Each application for consent requires proof of payment of a EUR 1,000 fee.

Are private companies allowed to operate lottery or internet games?

No. The exclusive right to organize lottery games (except closed-type tombolas) and electronic and internet games of chance belongs to the Republic of North Macedonia and must be exercised through a state-owned company with a minimum registered capital of EUR 2,500,000. Private operators cannot obtain licenses for these game types.

What should existing operators do to comply with the new law?

Existing operators should immediately: (1) check whether prior Ministry of Finance consent is needed for any pending ownership or management changes; (2) verify that the deposit and bank guarantee amount meets the new calculation (EUR 375,000 + EUR 1,250 per machine); (3) audit all advertising and exterior signage; (4) install GPS on all gaming equipment; (5) check the 500-metre school distance rule; and (6) monitor the adoption of secondary legislation implementing the new law.

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Vedran Lalicic Attorney at Law | Lalicic & Partners, Skopje, North Macedonia Practice areas: Business and corporate law, Real estate, Litigation

 

Last updated: July 2026