Armenian lawmakers have proposed a new gambling reform package aimed at tightening controls over both licensed and illegal online gambling. The draft would require internet providers to block unlicensed gambling websites and banks to restrict payments linked to illegal operators.
The proposal adds another control to Armenia’s wider gambling overhaul. The country has already moved toward real-time monitoring of gambling activity, with a central system planned to track bets and give the State Revenue Committee direct access to market data.
ISPs and banks would get new duties
Under the draft, internet service providers would be required to block access to gambling websites that do not hold Armenian approval. The aim is to make illegal sites harder to access from Armenia. Banks and payment companies would also face new obligations. They would need to identify and restrict transactions linked to unlicensed gambling platforms.
That would expand enforcement beyond operators. Instead of relying only on action against illegal websites, Armenia would use access blocking and payment controls to cut off customer routes into the black market.
Monitoring system stays central
Armenia has already been working on a unified gambling monitoring platform. The system is designed to record betting activity across land-based casinos and online operators in real time.
That model would give the State Revenue Committee closer oversight of betting volumes, revenue and tax reporting. It would also make it easier to compare declared operator income with actual gambling activity.The reform is part of a wider effort to strengthen gambling supervision after earlier concerns over tax leakage, player harm and weak oversight of online betting.
Self-exclusion rules are also being discussed
The illegal gambling controls come alongside separate proposals on player protection. Recent amendments have included a mandatory self-exclusion button for online casinos, allowing users to block themselves from gambling platforms.
Under that proposal, self-exclusion would last five years and renew for another five unless the player asks to lift it before expiry. The rule would give online players a more direct way to cut off access across licensed platforms.
Armenia’s next step is parliamentary review of the wider reform package. If approved, the changes would give authorities stronger tools to block illegal sites, restrict payments and monitor licensed gambling more closely.
