Montenegro Opposes 80-Meter Rule for Betting Shops
MPs Vaso Obradović and Milica Rondović from New Serbian Democracy submitted the amendment during a review of the Gambling Act. They want at least 80 meters between the entrances of venues offering lottery or special games.
The distance would be measured in a straight line. But the rule would not apply equally across the market.
Existing Shops Would Stay in Place
Premises already approved for special games before the rule takes effect would be excluded. New locations would have to meet the distance limit. Existing ones would not.
This is why the Finance Ministry opposed the amendment. Current operators could keep their established sites, including locations with strong commercial value. A company trying to open a new branch would have fewer options.
The ministry says this would not reduce the current number of gambling venues. It would mostly make it harder for another operator to enter the same area.
The government accepted that assessment and issued a negative opinion on the amendment. The final decision still belongs to parliament. MPs can approve the proposal despite the government’s position.
Ministry Points to Enforcement Record
The MPs presented the limit as a way to improve the social environment and reduce gambling-related harm to young people and local communities over the medium term. According to the ministry, recent efforts to enforce existing laws could help more directly achieve the same purpose. In August 2025, Montenegro’s new gambling law entered into force. Since then, inspectors have confiscated 40 illegal gaming machines and betting terminals, as stated by the ministry. The seizures occurred in Podgorica, Tuzi, Niksic, Bar, Ulcinj, Bijelo Polje and Berane.
Operators were sanctioned for illegal advertising and for allowing minors to place bets. The ministry also reported serious weaknesses in anti-money-laundering controls. Separate inspections uncovered software used to offer casino and slot games through betting terminals.
There is a continuing reduction in the number of gambling places within the past three years, as per the statement. No data on the total number of gambling places was provided.
Parliament Still Has to Decide
The proposal is now part of a wider gambling bill already being considered by parliament. Other changes in the package focus mainly on illegal gambling and stronger enforcement.
The 80-meter rule may stop some new betting shops from opening. Still, it would not change the position of venues already in operation. The current market could therefore stay almost the same for years.
If the aim is to reduce the number of gambling locations, the rule would also need to affect existing approvals at some point. Otherwise, it may simply make entry harder for new operators while protecting those already in the best locations.