Tightened advertising regulations for gambling in Armenia
Getting a Gambling Advertising Crackdown in Armenia
By June 1, 2025, Armenia's rulers plan to tighten the reins on gambling advertising, with new restrictions targeting not just traditional ad platforms but also key infrastructure objects such as border checkpoints and hotel complexes. This reversal is due to amendments in the existing "Advertising" law, focusing on stricter regulation of the gambling promotion sphere.
The changes concern online gambling, casinos, gaming halls, and various types of lotteries. The proposed ban is expected to cover:
- Territories of border checkpoints.
- Hotel premises.
- Hotel-entertainment complexes.
In his report, Kagramanyan stresses the need for such measures due to an escalation in the volume of gambling advertising in areas with high crowd density, such as borders and the tourist industry infrastructure. As these locations serve as the initial encounter for foreign guests with Armenia, an excessive presence of gambling advertisements negatively impacts the country's image, which boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage.
The excessive promotion of gambling in key tourist arrival points distorts foreigners’ perception of Armenia, shifting focus away from cultural values, history, and natural attractions towards the gaming industry, thereby harming the country's international reputation.
The restrictions will primarily target those spaces where advertising has the most adverse impact on youth and tourists without being a complete ban.
The government has shown its support for this legislative initiative, with Deputy Minister of Economy, Lilit Sirakyan, endorsing the proposal. She underscores the relevance of the bill and its consistency with Armenia's policy on minimizing the negative impacts of the gambling business on Armenian society.
This measure intends to resolve potential legal inconsistencies between the existing normative acts and establish legal clarity for market operators.
In the Pipes:The draft law, authored by MP Narek Ghahramanyan, was discussed in the Standing Committee on Economic Affairs on April 30, 2025. Additional amendments to the Law on Gambling, Internet Gambling, and Casinos are expected to address any contradictions between the two laws.
This move aligns with regional trends, as evidenced by Bulgaria's recent ban on gambling ads across most media (except billboards and sports facilities) with strict proximity rules near schools. In March 2025, Armenia itself raised gambling taxes, doubling rates for online casinos and bookmakers.
These targeted advertising restrictions aim to mitigate gambling-related harm while preserving Armenia's reputation as a culturally rich, historically significant, and attractive tourist destination.
- What about the future of casino-and-gambling advertisements in Armenia, especially at border checkpoints and hotel complexes?
- Armenia is considering innovations in its normative acts to address the excessive advertising of casinos and gambling.
- The government, including Deputy Minister of Economy Lilit Sirakyan, supports a legislative initiative aimed at tightening the reins on gambling advertising.
- The new restrictions on gambling advertising in Armenia are expected to help maintain the country's positive image, shifting focus from the gaming industry back to its rich historical and cultural heritage.
