Online Gambling Laws in Montenegro

Montenegro was one of the first countries in the region to start issuing gambling licences. Still, very few large gambling companies have obtained one due to the country's reputation as a hotspot for money laundering. That said, the country still has some pretty liberal laws regarding gambling, with just about all forms legal. Read on for more about Montenegro's gambling laws.

Gambling Regulation by Casino Type

Gambling is legislated via the Games of Chance Act, which came into effect in 2006, with amendments specifically legalizing online gambling in 2011, and separates gambling activities into two main categories: lottery games (and related, e.g. bingo, keno, etc.) and everything else (e.g. online and offline casinos, sports betting, online live casino games, gaming machines, etc.). The Games of Chance Administration is the main regulatory body in Montenegro, controlling the licensing processes in both categories.

Generally speaking, all forms of gambling are legal in the country, but the lottery is under monopoly control. Take a closer look at the legal situation in Montenegro per gambling activity below.

Casino Games

Land-based casino gambling is legal in Montenegro and has been since 2006, with operators required to obtain a licence from the Games of Chance Administration, part of the country's Ministry of Finance.

Six casino venues are currently operating in Montenegro, most based in Podgorica's capital. Gaming machines were once common in pubs and clubs, for example. However, due to a crackdown on criminal activity and money laundering via such locations, gaming machines such as slots and video poker machines are now only permitted in licensed casinos or slots halls.

Online casino gambling is also legal in Montenegro and has been since 2011. While the country's government tries to attract business investment, few offshore gambling companies have applied for a licence in Montenegro due to its reputation as a money laundering hotspot. That said, Montenegrins are still accepted by numerous popular online casinos based outside of the country.

Poker

Offline and online poker are legal in Montenegro, with operators required to hold a licence. There are no standalone poker clubs in the country, with games in Montenegro's casinos. Montenegrins can also enjoy online poker games at the various online poker sites that accept them as members.

Bingo

Bingo gaming is legal in Montenegro and has been since 2006 but it isn't very popular. As a result, there are no bingo halls, and the game isn't offered at any of the country's casinos. Online bingo gambling has been legal since 2011, but similarly, there isn't much appetite for the game in Montenegro, so there are no homegrown online bingo sites. Residents can still access online bingo games via numerous offshore sites.

Lotteries

Lottery gambling is legal in Montenegro and has been since 2006. Although the activity isn't a state-owned monopoly, it still works like one, as company Lutrija Crne Gore is the sole operator whose licence is continuously renewed. Residents of Montenegro can enter any of the country's lottery retailers and buy lottery tickets, scratch cards, keno and bingo games and even sports bets.

Even though Lutrija Crne Gore has a website, it doesn't offer the ability to play online lottery games for real money, with the activity as yet unregulated in the country. Montenegrins can still access and play lottery games via offshore sites.

Social Gambling and Crypto Casinos

Sites at which players can enjoy casino games with play chips, i.e. social casinos, are not mentioned in Montenegro's gambling laws, nor are lootboxes and skins gambling, with these activities currently unregulated in the country.

Although cryptocurrencies aren't deemed illegal in Montenegro, none of the gambling venues in the country accept them. Montenegrins can still play casino games using their Bitcoin, Litecoin or other coins at one of many foreign crypto casinos.

Montenegro Sports Betting Laws

Sports betting has been legal in Montenegro since 2006 and is a popular pastime. Unlike in other locations, sports betting isn't a monopoly in Montenegro, with many companies permitted to offer sports betting markets to the country's residents. As a result, bookmakers are pretty common on the streets of Montenegro.

Online sports betting is also legal in Montenegro and has been since 2011. Many of the country's land-based sportsbooks also offer the ability to bet on sports online; residents of the country can also find plenty more sports betting action at the foreign sports betting sites that accept them as members.

Gambling Age Restriction

The legal gambling age in Montenegro is 18, with only those aged 18 or over legally permitted to enter gambling premises and participate in gambling activities, whether offline or online.

Tax Regulation

Montenegro gambling tax regulation sees operators charged either a fixed monthly/yearly fee, a percentage of revenue, or a combination of both. The country's lottery company pays a 10% tax, while online gambling operators are charged a monthly fixed fee of €10,000. The remaining gambling operators are charged a 10% tax rate, but they also have to pay their own fixed fees: €50 per month per gaming machine, €500 per month per betting shop, and €50,000 per year per casino. Operators are also charged a 9% corporation tax, but no VAT exists.

Players must pay a 15% tax on winnings, but these funds are withheld at the source. This is only applied to winnings at land-based venues, with online operators unlikely to deduct the tax.

History of Gambling Laws in Montenegro

Montenegro doesn't have much history as it was previously part of Yugoslavia. During this time, all forms of gambling were illegal except for the state-run lottery. When Montenegro gained its independence in 2006, it made most forms of gambling legal.

Key Facts

Montenegro has a pretty liberal stance when it comes to gambling. Here's a brief overview of the main points regarding gambling in Montenegro:

• Casino gambling is legal in Montenegro: Operators must hold a licence, there are six casinos and around 100 slots halls, and players can enjoy online casino slots and other online games at a few homegrown sites or one of many foreign online casinos.
• Poker gambling is legal: Poker games are only held in the site's licensed casinos.
• Bingo gambling is legal: There are no bingo halls, and the casinos don't run bingo games either. Bingo-typeThe country's lottery operator offers bingo-type games.
• Lottery gambling is legal: Lutrija Crne Gore monopolizes the activity but does not offer online gambling.
• Sports betting is legal in Montenegro: Many companies offer sports betting markets through high street retailers and online.