Gambling Laws in Kosovo

A small developing Balkan country, Kosovo used to be one of many nations in the region with a more relaxed view of gambling. However, a distressing event in the country's only casino led to a blanket ban on all forms of gambling in 2019.

Gambling in Kosovo: What's Legal and What Isn't?

Between 2004 and 2019, all types of gambling were legal under the Law on Games of Chance. However, after a string of murders in the country's only casino with alleged ties to the police and criminal organisations, the government implemented a blanket ban. This applied to all forms of gambling except the state-owned lottery.

Wagering on Online and Offline Casino Games

The country previously had just one land-based casino, Casino King, in the capital of Pristina, when gambling was still legal between 2004 and 2019. Other types of gambling were also permitted at the time and included 130 venues such as pubs with gambling machines and slot halls.

While gambling online on slots and live casino games is technically illegal, the government cannot prevent residents from playing at foreign online casinos. Many operators don't accept players from Kosovo though due to the country's status as a relatively poor nation.

Playing Real Money Poker

Gambling on poker is illegal though the activity was never very popular with residents. Games only took place within the country's single casino when it was still legal.

The situation is the same for online gambling sites, with the activity classed as illegal in Kosovo. Players can still gain access to offshore poker sites without facing prosecution though.

Bingo Gambling

When gambling was still legal, bingo was controlled by the country's monopoly lottery and sports betting company, Lotaria e Kosoves. However, the activity was outlawed in 2019. Online bingo gambling is similarly illegal in Kosovo, though, like other types of gambling, residents can head to foreign sites to play.

Purchasing Lotto Tickets and Scratchcards

The only type of legal gambling in Kosovo is the lottery, which is controlled and run by the Ministry of Finance-owned monopoly, Lotaria e Kosoves. Gambling on lotto products via the country's retailers has been legal since 2008, with residents able to buy tickets, scratchcards and play keno.

Online lotto gambling is also legal and has been since 2012. Residents can access the Lotaria e Kosoves website to play online lottery games for real money.

Social Gambling and Playing at Online Crypto Casinos

Plenty of residents play card games at home, though this is illegal under current laws. Lootboxes and Skins gambling are not mentioned under current legislation, so remain unregulated and illegal. Sites which offer free online slots are fine and the same applies to social casinos which allow members to play with fake chips and credits.

The laws in Kosovo haven't been updated to include cryptocurrencies, meaning they are not legal tender in the country. As such, no business is permitted to accept the coins. However, residents can still access offshore crypto casinos for their virtual currency gambling.

Is Sports Betting Legal in Kosovo?

Sports betting is another gambling activity that is strictly illegal and has been since the ban in 2019. Previously, when gambling was still legal, sports betting came under the monopoly of Lotaria e Kosoves. Bettors were able to walk into a retailer and wager on their favourite sports. However, match-fixing reports were common.

Online sports betting was also deemed illegal in 2019. However, Kosovans can still enjoy any of the foreign online bookies without facing criminal prosecution. Fantasy sports betting is not currently mentioned in legislation.

What's the Minimum Age to Gamble in Kosovo?

Since the 2019 ban, the only legal activity in the country is lottery gaming via the state, with those aged 18+ allowed to play offline or online.

Kosovo Gambling Tax Regulations - Do Players Pay?

Since gambling was made illegal, Kosovo's gambling tax regulations no longer exist. This also means players enjoying lottery games within the country's borders or via foreign sites don't have to pay tax on their winnings.

History of Gambling Laws in Kosovo

Gambling in Kosovo was legal between 2004 and 2019, according to the Law on Games of Chance (04/L-080). Right before the ban, there were some 300 betting shops, 133 gambling machine venues, six bingo halls and a single land-based casino.

The ban was implemented after a series of murders within the casino allegedly linked to the police and criminal operations. Sports betting was already rife with accusations of match-fixing, which the ban also addressed. The industry collapsed overnight, resulting in more than 4,000 job losses, a 10% drop in tourism and a significant decrease in revenue in an already economically challenged country.

It's estimated that 5% of residents regularly cross the border to other countries to partake in gambling. Many access foreign sites to play online casino slots and live dealer games.

Key Facts

• All forms of gambling are illegal in Kosovo except for the lottery, which is offered via the state-controlled operator, Lotaria e Kosoves.