Montenegro’s Electronic Payments Ban Raises Industry Concerns

Montenegro's gambling sector is facing a significant challenge as proposed amendments to the country's gambling laws are set to prohibit the use of electronic payment methods. The move has left industry representatives, such as Jovana Klisić from Montenegro Bet, expressing deep apprehension, labelling the situation as critical.

The proposed amendment to Article 68f of Montenegro’s gambling law aims to disable various electronic payment methods like e-banking and mobile payments for depositing into betting accounts. This leaves bettors with limited options, either making cash deposits at betting shops or using cards only on terminals within these establishments.

The gambling industry in Montenegro is in turmoil over the potential ramifications of these amendments. A petition opposing the changes has garnered significant traction, amassing 25,000 signatures in just five days. Critics fear the impact on job security within the sector, with nearly 2% of the country's workforce employed in gambling-related roles.

Critics of the amendments are pointing out contradictions with EU law, even though Montenegro is not yet an EU member. Key concerns include conflicts with the Montenegro-EU Stabilisation and Association Agreement and the Payment Services Directive, both of which advocate for alignment with EU standards. Additionally, there are worries that the changes inadequately address money laundering risks, potentially exacerbating financial vulnerabilities.