Additional €11 million from online gambling in 2024

Budget revenues from online gambling in 2024 amounted to €12,581,688.11, representing a 686.67% increase compared to 2023, when revenues stood at €1,599,354.82. This significant rise, totaling an additional €11 million for the state, is attributed to amendments to the law and their effective implementation.

This result also highlights the short-sightedness and lack of concern for public interest by the former President of Montenegro, who neither returned nor signed the law introducing the concept of a variable fee for online gambling. Had this law been enacted earlier in 2023, it would have generated at least €7 million in additional budget revenue. Despite public appeals at the time, emphasizing the projected benefits for the state, no action was taken.

However, the Ministry of Finance under the 44th Government revived these legislative solutions as part of its extensive reform efforts. The Government’s legislative proposal, incorporating this mechanism and other elements of sound public policy, was adopted at the end of 2023. The resulting benefits for society and the state became evident throughout the past year.

Overall, total budget revenues from gambling in 2024 amounted to €33,812,130.41, marking an increase of €11.5 million (51.27%) compared to 2023, when revenues totaled €22,352,550.82. Considering that 2023 saw two one-time casino fees, which are paid once every 10 years, the actual revenue growth is even more significant.

For context, gambling-related budget revenues only ranged between €10-12 million a few years ago. This underscores the substantial financial losses incurred by the state due to weak legislation, preferential treatment, lack of oversight, and failure to combat abuses.

Thanks to the outstanding management of the Games of Chance Administration, which performed its duties professionally, responsibly, and without bias—curbing numerous abuses and strengthening oversight—the positive effects of the legal amendments have been realized. This has fostered public trust in the institution’s operations. Additionally, the Administration’s management, in collaboration with professional staff, successfully addressed multiple violations related to the proximity of betting establishments to schools, rejected all non-compliant applications, and began implementing a new, modern, and more reliable gambling oversight information system. This initiative aligns with the Anti-Corruption Strategy.

The reorganization of the inspection service, now under the Ministry of Finance, is expected to further enhance efforts to combat fraud and irregularities in the gambling sector.

The Coordination Body for the protection of public interest in the gambling sector has developed an Action Plan with a series of measures to combat addiction. Multiple institutions will participate in implementing these initiatives, reflecting the Montenegrin Government's top priority in this area, given the alarming inherited state of affairs. For the first time in 2024, recognizing the social significance of this issue, the Ministry of Finance and the Government provided financial support for an anti-gambling addiction campaign during the renowned FIAT Festival. Prominent Montenegrin actors participated in this initiative, which was officially endorsed by the Coordination Body.

This demonstrates that well-designed laws and a firm commitment to combating abuse not only uphold equality before the law and protect fundamental societal values but also have direct positive effects on the state budget, significantly enhancing the Government’s ability to meet public needs.