Montenegro Rejects 80-Meter Distance Rule for Betting Shops

The political debate surrounding the regulation of land-based gambling in Montenegro has reached a new peak. The government of the Balkan state has officially spoken out against a proposed amendment that provided for stricter spatial separations for betting shops and lottery outlets. This initiative, introduced by MPs Vaso Obradovic and Milica Rondovic of the New Serbian Democracy party, aimed to establish a buffer zone between the entrances of gambling venues. Specifically, it concerned a distance of at least 80 meters, measured in a straight line.

Although the intention behind the proposal was to protect the social environment and youth, the government sees massive problems in its practical implementation. The core point of the rejection lies in an unequal treatment of market participants. While new operators would be forced to laboriously search for locations that meet this 80-meter hurdle, already existing betting shops were to be excluded from the rule. The Finance Ministry argues that this would distort competition without effectively reducing the total number of gambling sites. Existing companies could thus cement their lucrative spots in busy areas, while market entry for competitors would be made almost impossible.

Numbers and facts

A look at the current enforcement figures shows that Montenegro is already taking a tough stance against illegal gambling. Since the new gambling law came into force in August 2025, the authorities have a remarkable balance sheet to show. The inspectors were active nationwide and concentrated on hotspots such as Podgorica, Tuzi, Niksic, Bar, Ulcinj, Bijelo Polje, and Berane. During this period, according to the ministry, a total of 40 illegal gaming machines and betting terminals were seized. These raids illustrate that the problem lies less in the spatial proximity of legal businesses to each other and more in the spread of unlicensed offers.

The authorities also encountered technical manipulations during their inspections. Software was discovered that is actually intended for classic casino and slot games but was offered via simple betting terminals in sports bars or cafes. Such practices are strictly prohibited in Montenegro and lead to immediate sanctions. Violations of advertising bans and deficient controls to combat money laundering were also in the focus of the investigators. The ministry assessed cases in which minors were allowed to participate in betting as particularly critical.

Background

MPs Obradovic and Rondovic defended their proposal as a necessary step towards the medium-term reduction of gambling-related harm. They argued that a lower density of gambling sites would reduce the appeal for young people. The Finance Ministry counters that the number of gambling locations has already been continuously decreasing over the last three years. Although no exact total figures for the whole country were mentioned, the trend is downward. The government takes the view that a consistent application of existing laws is more effective than arbitrary distance rules that guarantee protection of existing sites for old operators.

"The measure would make it harder for another operator to enter the same area, while current operators could keep their established sites, which would distort the market." - Ministry of Finance Montenegro, Official Statement

The final word in this matter has not yet been spoken, however. Since the proposal is part of a broader gambling package, the decision now lies with parliament. The MPs have the right to ignore the negative opinion of the government and pass the 80-meter rule anyway. The package also includes further measures to combat the illegal market, which are largely uncontested across the political spectrum.

Why it matters for German players

For German players moving in the regulated market, such debates sound familiar, as the State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) provides for similar hurdles. In Germany, there are also strict distance rules, which, however, vary depending on the federal state and are often significantly stricter than the 80 meters discussed in Montenegro. The decisive difference, however, is the consistent enforcement by the Joint Gambling Authority of the States (GGL). German players should play exclusively with providers that are on the official GGL whitelist.

In Germany, strict limits apply: players may deposit a maximum of 1,000 euros per month across all providers, which is monitored by the LUGAS system. In addition, there is the stake limit of 1 euro per spin on virtual slot machines. While Montenegro is still arguing over the protection of existing sites for long-established betting shops, the German system is designed for digital, centralized player protection. Providers without a German license, often from Malta or Curacao, do not offer this protection and are illegal in Germany. Those who opt for licensed offers enjoy the security of state supervision and guaranteed payouts.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

The discussions in Montenegro show how important fair competition is while maintaining strict supervision. For operators with a GGL license in Germany, this means planning security. In contrast to the Montenegrin model, where new rules might only affect newcomers, the rules of the GlüStV 2021 apply equally to everyone in Germany. This ensures a transparent market environment. The GGL not only monitors compliance with technical guidelines but also ensures that illegal providers are pushed out of the market through network blocking or payment blocking. The focus here is clearly on the digital space, while Montenegro is currently still struggling heavily with physical betting terminals in cities like Ulcinj or Bijelo Polje.