(AsiaGameHub) – The Republic of Armenia is intensifying its oversight of digital betting, payments, and advertising, with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s administration confirming the implementation of a new compliance framework for gambling licensees.
Effective from May 1st, these technical measures will be managed by Finance Minister Vahe Hovhannisyan and State Revenue Committee chief Rustam Badasyan. Their objective is to enhance financial supervision, strengthen legal gambling channels, and reduce the presence of offshore operators in Armenia’s market.
Leading this legislative effort is Civil Contract MP Hayk Sargsyan, who has emerged as the primary parliamentary advocate for the reforms.
Central to this strategy is the enforcement of payment regulations. Armenian authorities aim to prevent financial transfers to unlicensed operators while simultaneously reinforcing anti-money laundering and know-your-customer requirements for licensed gambling businesses.
Concurrently, the government will proceed with the deployment of a centralized monitoring system designed to establish real-time connections between operators and state systems.
Banking restrictions represent a significant new enforcement mechanism. Technical directives instruct local banks to block transactions identified by Merchant Category Code (MCC) 7995, the global payment classification for gambling services, through central banking controls.
Payment processing will be restricted to locally licensed operators, creating an additional obstacle for offshore entities seeking to engage Armenian customers.
The State Revenue Committee is also expediting the selection of a private software partner to develop Armenia’s central gaming monitoring hub, following legislation approved in early 2024.
The current focus is on technological implementation rather than the creation of the regulatory framework itself, as authorities seek comprehensive visibility into gambling activities and financial transactions.
Several fiscal measures have already altered the economic landscape of the sector. Armenia introduced a 10% turnover tax on gambling operations starting July 2025, doubled online gaming license fees in April 2025, and plans further annual increases through 2028.
The significant market expansion that prompted government intervention has been substantial. Official figures presented by lawmakers indicate that Armenia’s gambling turnover reached AMD 6.3 trillion (€14 billion) in 2023, with online casino deposits rising to AMD 811 billion in 2024.
The introduction of stricter regulations extends beyond taxation and payments. The Gaming Law, enacted in January 2025, mandated that online operators utilize Armenia’s local domain system, introduced geo-blocking requirements, and reduced taxes on gambling winnings to encourage consumers to engage with regulated operators.
Further restrictions were implemented in 2026. Authorities introduced player protection measures, including stop-play tools and limitations on access for vulnerable groups such as bankrupt individuals and recipients of social assistance programs.
Advertising rules have also been significantly tightened, restricting gambling promotions to luxury hotels, border checkpoints, and authorized operator channels.
Enforcement capabilities may soon be further enhanced. Sources have informed SBC Eurasia that Armenia’s Ministry of Finance is finalizing the establishment of a dedicated gambling regulatory agency, which is expected to be formally announced by the government in the near future.
Stricter oversight of local licenses reinforces Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s commitment to positioning Armenia as a leading jurisdiction for gambling compliance among Eurasian nations.
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