Gambling regulation in Armenia explained: licences, regulator and what changes next
Regulation
Online casino and betting are licensed; since 2025 operators must use Armenian domains, geo-block and pay a turnover tax, and unlicensed sites face payment blocks.
Licensing and Domain Requirements
Online casino and betting services require a licence. Licensed operators must use Armenia's national domain system. They must geo-block traffic from outside the designated area. The table below lists product statuses. Compliance requires aligning technical setups with national standards. Suppliers must verify domain configurations. Failure to adhere affects licensing status. The shift to national domains centralises oversight. Operators must implement these technical requirements to maintain their licence.
| Product | Status |
|---|---|
| Online casino | licensed |
| Sports betting | licensed |
| Online poker | licensed |
| Lottery | restricted |
Taxation and Financial Obligations
A turnover tax applies to licensed gambling operations. This levy is calculated on total revenue. It represents a direct cost for maintaining a licensed presence. Operators must account for this expense in financial planning. The tax structure is uniform across licensed entities. It does not vary by product type. The rate is shown in the key figures. It remains a fixed percentage of turnover. This creates a predictable cost baseline for business models.
Advertising and Marketing Restrictions
Gambling advertising is limited to specific locations. Promotions are restricted to luxury hotels, border checkpoints, and operators' own channels. Broad media campaigns are not permitted. Operators must focus marketing on these approved venues. Suppliers supporting marketing tools must adapt to these constraints. The strategy relies on high-value locations and direct engagement. Compliance teams should verify promotional materials adhere to these rules. This ensures alignment with the regulatory framework for visibility.
Enforcement and Payment Blocks
Parliament adopted measures to block payments to unlicensed gambling sites. This enforcement targets operators without a valid licence. The system monitors transactions to ensure only licensed entities receive funds. Unlicensed sites face restrictions on processing payments. Suppliers must ensure payment solutions recognise licensed status. The monitoring process is automated and ongoing. It aims to streamline the market by removing unlicensed competition. Operators should check their licensing status to avoid payment interruptions. See the regulation tracker for details.
Questions
What domain system must licensed operators use?
Licensed operators must use Armenia's national domain system. They must geo-block traffic from outside the designated area to comply with local regulations.
How does the turnover tax affect operators?
Operators pay a percentage of total revenue as tax. This cost applies to all licensed gambling services and must be included in financial models.
Where can gambling advertisements be placed?
Ads are limited to luxury hotels, border checkpoints, and operators' own channels. General media placements are not permitted under current restrictions.
What happens to unlicensed gambling sites?
Unlicensed sites face payment blocks. The system monitors transactions to ensure funds are processed only for operators holding a valid licence.
Every figure on this page is computed by code from standard industry formulas and the facts of our regulation tracker, each checked a second way. See the methodology.