Foreign media: Albania Bans Bets to Fight Organised Crime

Albania adopted the law banning sports bets, mainly those on the internet -- very popular in the country, with the aim of fighting organised crime -- write prestigious media like AFP, “Washington Post”, “Reuters” or “Associated Press<5>.

“Parliament voted 75-0 for the closure of casinos, including betting points on sports, animal races and foreign betting websites, and will be moved to areas outside the cities”, writes British news agency “Reuters”.

This law, which also limits casino activities, will take effect in January.

“Albania numbers less than 4 200 sports betting centres, for a population of 2.8 million people”, the official French news agency AFP points out.

According to official figures, Albanians spend up to 150m euros a year on sports bets, a figure amounting to 700m euros if they even account for the illegal bets.

The new law also envisions closing casinos located near schools.

“This is a clear message against organised crime that launders money through this activity, but it is also good news for all families and victims of lucky games, Prime Minister Edi Rama said following the adoption of this law in Parliament”, the AFP quoted.

This decision goes into the interest of Albanian society, but it also testifies to the government's commitment to the fight against organised crime”, he added, broadcasts.

“During his speech in Parliament, Rama stressed that the majority of companies operating in this sector were purchased by persons with criminal records and thanked MPs for voting this move despite a stressful period with ugly messages of all nature”, quoted the Balkan Insight”.

The opposition, which has been boycotting parliamentary sessions for weeks, did not participate in this vote.

“Since coming to power in 2013, Edi Rama has vowed to ban the game industry to fight against economic criminality, but so far had not achieved a majority in parliament on this matter”, writes Irish Radio Television, RTE, broadcasts Tch, follows the Kosovo Clan.

“Finance Minister Arben Ahmetaj said last week that next year's budget has not predicted coming from casino taxes and betting points, which was $54m last year”, writes prestigious “Associated Press”.

On the other hand, “Wahsington Post” adds that “media has been reported that if you don't stop illegal betting ads, they will close”, Kosovo Press reports in this summary of the articles on closing bets in Albania.