According to Jovana Klisić, a representative of the trade association Montenegro Bet, recent changes in Montenegro’s gambling legislation have raised serious concerns in the gambling business.
The changes, particularly the ban on various electronic betting payment methods, mean the sector is at a turning point.
The amendment to Article 68f prohibits the use of electronic banking and mobile payments to deposit money into gambling accounts, effectively limiting players to cash deposits at bookmakers or card payments at POS terminals. The amendments angered gambling operators and players and collected 25,000 signatures in five days.
Jovana Klisić warns of the dire consequences these restrictions could have on employment within the gambling sector, which directly and indirectly sustains nearly 2% of Montenegro’s workforce. “Any negative impact on this industry could have very harmful and far-reaching consequences,” Klisić cautioned, emphasizing the threat to job security and the broader economic stability of the country.
“The removal of ebanking and newsagents for deposits, despite their compliance and transparency, not only affects operational efficiency but also jeopardises jobs, echoing the detrimental effects on the broader economy of Montenegro.”
Considering Montenegro’s pro-European position and its candidacy for EU membership, the amendments also appear to be inconsistent with EU legal norms; Klisic pointed out inconsistencies with the EU Payment Services Directive.
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