Armenia Bans Unlicensed Firms From Using Gambling Terms In Branding

Armenia has introduced new restrictions preventing businesses without a gambling licence from using terminology associated with betting and casino activities in their branding.

The legislation will take effect on 8 February 2027 and introduces fines of AMD500,000 ($1,400) for violations.

The restrictions will apply across company names, trade names, trademarks, website domains and physical signage.

Terms covered by the legislation include “gambling”, “casino”, “gaming hall”, “online gambling”, “lottery” and “bookmaking activities”.

The measures are intended to prevent businesses without the required licences from presenting themselves as authorised gambling operators.

Further Gambling Controls From February

The branding restrictions will coincide with additional amendments to Armenia’s Law on Regulation of Gaming Activities, which are also scheduled to take effect on 8 February 2027.

The measures will strengthen controls on online gambling and lottery websites operating without Armenian licences, with telecommunications providers required to block access to unauthorised platforms.

Rafael Gevorgyan, deputy head of Armenia’s State Revenue Committee, said in July that changes in how consumers access gambling had created new enforcement challenges.

“The gambling industry in Armenia has changed significantly: mobile apps and websites have made betting and online gaming much more accessible,” said Gevorgyan.

Existing legislation already allows authorities to block gambling websites, but regulators have faced challenges as operators use VPNs and establish replacement websites.

The amendments will introduce a three-tiered protection system alongside an online resource operated by the State Revenue Committee to identify websites subject to blocking.

“An online resource will be created within the State Revenue Committee, where employees will promptly and daily add websites subject to blocking based on monitoring results,” said Gevorgyan.

Telecommunications operators will be required to restrict access to websites placed on the blacklist, while licensed and regulated operators will be included on a whitelist.

The rules will also cover advertising, preventing companies without an Armenian gambling licence from promoting their services in the country.

Armenia Continues Gambling Regulatory Reforms

The measures form part of a series of changes to Armenia’s gambling regulatory framework introduced since 2024.

In June 2024, parliament approved legislation establishing a new framework that came into force on 1 January 2025.

The legislation provided for a centralised digital monitoring system connecting licensed online and land-based gambling operators, allowing regulators to monitor activity including wagers, deposits and losses.

Malta-based RegTech provider Random Systems International was subsequently awarded a 15-year licence to operate the monitoring system.

Further measures have included requirements for licensed operators to provide a visible self-exclusion option on their websites and apps.

Restrictions have also been introduced preventing certain groups from participating in online gambling, including people receiving social assistance, pensioners, bankrupt individuals and participants in state-funded programmes.

Armenia has additionally introduced an income-based restriction limiting gambling activity to no more than 20% of a player’s declared annual income.