Tirana Times
TIRANA, Oct. 6 – Albania’s government has introduced in parliament new legislation that would mean new taxes levied on gambling establishments and player’s winnings, setting the requirement that each winner pay 10 percent of the sum in taxes.
Currently, the winnings are not taxed, though the government charges the establishments licensing fees.
Gambling is a booming business in Albania and varies from casinos to sports betting. The Parliamentary Commission of Economy approved the changes to the draft law on gambling.
The opposition members of parliament disproved of the changes, as they say they encourage more gambling, which leads to social problems.
The government says it is simply trying to bring Albanian legislation up to EU standards and wanting to make sure that gambling is done legally in licensing establishments.
The changes will also increase tax rates on national lotteries to 25 percent, and makes it illegal for them to be done online.
The government had increased licensing fees for gambling establishments last year, making it more expensive to do business in large cities like Tirana and Durres. Nonetheless the streets of Tirana are increasingly filled with small gambling establishments sporting Vegas-style lights and entrances.
