Lottery tickets are legal in Montenegro under new gambling legislation enacted on July 31, 2025, which established a state-controlled lottery monopoly. The offering of lottery games is permitted, but the right is restricted to a single lottery operator with the concession granted for ten years and extendable for an additional five years (1). There has been no lottery operator in Montenegro since December 2016 when the concession of the last lottery operator expired, leaving a regulatory gap until the new Games of Chance Act introduced comprehensive reforms.
A major change in the new law is the creation of a state-owned lottery company that will have the exclusive right to run lottery games (2). This new company will be entirely owned by the Montenegrin state and will pay an annual fee of EUR 100,000 and a monthly fee of 10 percent of its profits. The Games of Chance Administration, which operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Finance, serves as the primary regulatory authority for the gambling industry in Montenegro, while the government awards concessions for lottery and casino games.
"A major change in the new law is the creation of a state-owned lottery. This new company will have the exclusive right to run lottery games. The company will be entirely owned by the Montenegrin state."
The new Games of Chance Act marks a significant shift from the previous concession-based system to a new licensing regime, with reforms aimed at improving financial oversight, player protection, and advertising restrictions (2). Operators are now required to display visible warnings about the dangers of gambling addiction and provide contact information for addiction support services at their premises. The legislation also introduces a self-exclusion mechanism allowing players to opt out of gambling activities either temporarily or permanently, empowering individuals to control their gambling behaviors and seek help when necessary.
Source:
https://practiceguides.chambers.com/practice-guides/gaming-law-2024/montenegro
https://igamingexpress.com/montenegro-new-game-of-chance-act-reshapes-gambling-regulations/
Last updated: 16-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
