The underage and youth protections related to gambling in Montenegro are to be reviewed by a cooperative alliance formed by the Montenegrin Olympic Committee (COK) and the Administration for Games of Chance (UIS).
The partnership was formed by order of the Vlada of Montenegro, with the agencies tasked with undertaking a comprehensive review of current underage gambling restrictions and the exposure of gambling to young audiences.
A memorandum was signed by Committee President Dušan Simonović and Spasoje Papić, who serves as the current Interim Director of UIS.
The agencies are required to provide a “joint action plan” on new rules, standards, and practices needed to promote responsible gambling behaviours and to minimise gambling risks for youth in Montenegro.
The memorandum detailed that COK and UIS will cooperate in establishing workshops and lectures in schools, sports clubs, and universities to ensure direct research is provided on the impact of gambling on young people. Further research will be conducted on the advertising and promotional exposure of gambling on social media and online platforms.
The agencies will present an annual report on the implementation of agreed initiatives, stating: “The Memorandum represents a significant step towards improving cooperation between the sports sector and relevant institutions in the field of games of chance, and reflects a commitment to joint efforts in creating a safer and healthier environment for young people.”
2024 changes & ruptures
In 2024, the Vlada adopted new articles to update Montenegro’s gambling regime. Changes increased annual authorisation fees on land-based casinos from €50,000 to €100,000 ($53 980 to $107 960) and introduced a fixed 10% ‘base tax’ (gaming revenue minus payouts) on online gambling licences.
Although tax increases were agreed upon by Montenegro licensees, the sector opposed the government’s mandate to restrict online payments to prepaid methods, which banned the use of mobile banking, IPS, and e-banking payments for online customers.
The restriction was dropped following a challenge led by the trade association MontenegroBet, which detailed the technical flaws of imposing the restriction and the negative consequences it would have on Montenegro’s business community.
Following an intervention by the Ministry of Finance, the government adopted a new strategy to modernise gambling laws from 2024 to 2027.
The strategy aims to implement a new ‘Montenegro Law on Gambling’ to establish safe and responsible gambling environments, foster sustainable growth in the gaming sector free from financial crime, and address public health and social concerns associated with gambling.
At the close of 2024, the Ministry of Finance ordered relevant agencies and stakeholders to provide feedback on resolutions needed for a new regulatory framework to govern gambling.
Youth protection is key pillar
The project is led by the State Secretary for Finance, Jovana Nišavić, who stated that Montenegro has had no binding legal solution for games of chance since its independence from Serbia in 2006.
Agencies were advised to focus on “protections as the key pillar,” to protect minors and Montenegro’s youth from gambling harms and addiction.
Political concerns are increasing as data from the Public Institution “Kakaricka Gora” indicates a significant rise in individuals seeking treatment for gambling addiction. In 2019, 19% of their clients were treated for gambling problems, which rose to 43% by September 2024. This suggests a growing trend of gambling addiction among the population.
Urgency is needed for Montenegro to adopt changes in youth gambling protections due to fears of a correlation between gambling addiction and youth unemployment, which in 2023 was reported at 27% across national districts.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our Telegram channel!
