TITLE: Armenia's Ministry of Economy Establishes Verification Procedures for Gaming Account Ownership
BODY:
On March 12, 2026, Armenia's Ministry of Economy published a draft ministerial order establishing verification procedures for gaming account ownership in the gambling and totalisator sectors. The draft order implements provisions from recent legislative amendments adopted on March 26, 2025, including amendments to the Law on Gambling (HO-49-N), the Law on Games of Chance, Internet Games of Chance and Casinos (HO-50-N), and amendments to the Prime Minister's Decision No. 658-L from June 1, 2019.
The draft order addresses the verification process for determining rightful ownership of special gaming accounts and associated banking accounts or cards used by Armenian citizens participating in gambling and totalisator activities. It establishes procedures for verifying account ownership in two contexts: accounts used by totalisator participants to fund special gaming accounts for players, and accounts used by players to place bets directly at gaming venues or accounts used by organisers to fund individual gaming cards provided to players.
The order falls under the Ministry of Economy's expanded regulatory responsibilities in the gaming sector, which were reinforced by Prime Minister Decision No. 778-L from September 4, 2025. This decision consolidated gaming sector regulation, including legal framework development, licensing oversight, and compliance monitoring, within the Ministry of Economy's purview.
The public consultation period runs from March 12 to March 28, 2026. Stakeholders and interested parties can submit comments and suggestions through the e-draft.am platform during this period. Comments will be published on the website within ten working days of submission following administrator confirmation.