The Rise of Online Gaming: A Look at Online Casinos Albania
Albania, on Southeastern Europe’s Balkan Peninsula, is a nation of nearly 3 million people. Because Albanians are among the most polyglot people in the world, online casino operators find this population especially easy to target. Of course it helps that citizens of Albania do love to gamble. Here we look at the surge in online casino gambling across the country in the wake of feeble attempts to contain the activity.
Gambling in Albania
Gambling in Albania was illegal for four years then apparently the citizens, lawmakers and would be operators here decided they had had enough. As of this year (2023), sports betting is now legal once again. Approximately €17 million is expected to be generated each year in the form of taxes as a result.
It's also pretty difficult to prohibit an activity when there are more than 4000 gambling shops already operating in the country. The capital of Tirana is a hot bed for retail casino gambling in the form of electronic slot parlors as well as the more glamorous Regency Casino.
Keep in Mind This is Still an Islam Majority Country
Gambling is frowned upon in the Islamic religion and approximately 59% of those living in Albania are practicing Muslims. Albania has had to deal with a double whammy of sorts over the years as Communism also frowns upon gambling. The nation was a one-party communist state from 1946 to 1991.
Some of the World's Top Online Casinos Available in Albania
A top casino search directly related to Albania finds many of the world's leading online casinos do indeed operate here. Among them are Mr. Green, Guts and Jackpot City, just to name a few.
Offerings include everything from 100 percent welcome bonuses to 200+ bonus spins in the casino to mobile and even live dealer casino platforms.
Individuals have the opportunity to play table games like Poker, Blackjack, Roulette, and Baccarat with professional live dealers. Choose to join other players or go one-on-one with the live dealer. Table games include the likes of Texas Hold’em, Caribbean Stud Poker, and much more. Unlike the live casinos of yesteryear, today's bandwidth accommodates load factors. As of November 2022, the average download speed of fixed internet connections in Albania was at approximately 44.6 Megabits per second (Mbps). Mobile internet connections were somewhat slower, at around 39 Mbps. A good internet speed is anywhere pretty much anything above 25 and 100 Mbps, which may actually be better than that which we use here in the Gambling911.com office.
What to Look for in an Online Casino
- Top bonus options
- Wide variety of payment funding methods
- Best selection of games and sport betting markets
- Check out reviews across the Net when deciding on an internet casinos
What Are the Most Popular Forms of Gambling in Albania?
Betting on football, basketball and tennis is especially popular here.
The Regency Casino provides a clue to what Albanians like to gamble on as far as games go. Here you will find plenty of slot machines and roulette.
Regency Stud Poker is popular here. It is a local variation of Caribbean Stud Poker.
Blackjack is played here as well, especially online.
Poker is Somewhat Well Represented Here
We wouldn't say there are a ton of big name poker players who come from Albania. Muhamet Perati sits atop the all time money list for the nation with $584,893 in live tournament earnings. He enjoyed a 7th place finish and a cash of $64,414 during a 2012 World Series of Poker event.
A Word About Payment Methods
Whether you prefer credit cards, e-wallets, or cryptocurrencies, Albanian online casinos can accommodate your needs.
When it comes to cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, which are especially popular payment options with online casinos, you will be happy to know that the Albanian Financial Supervision Authority approved a licensing regime for cryptocurrency exchanges. In fact, Albania was the first in the region to do so.
What this means is you have a selection of reputable cryptocurrency exchanges to choose from. By holding a digital wallet, funds can be transferred to and from the exchange without it necessary to detail what they are being used for. You are not sending crypto directly between the exchange and online casinos.
Did You Know?
Albania has transformed from one of the poorest countries in Europe to an upper-middle-income country. That means more disposable income and could explain the rise in popularity of online casinos in the country.
A Final Word
According to various estimates, Albanians spend anywhere between EUR 500,000,000 to EUR 700,000,000 annually on gambling, with or without prohibition. While there are lawmakers still attempting to restrict the activity, the in-fighting is such that those efforts are likely to reach a dead end. No matter, online gambling is here to stay in Albania.
- B.E. Delmer, Gambling911.com
