Skopje, 12 May 2026 (MIA) — The government approved a new draft law Tuesday aimed at fighting against illegal gambling and protecting young people from aggressive advertising of games of chance.

According to government spokeswoman Venera Azizi, the bill, which will be forwarded to Parliament, begins "a new, more serious and more decisive phase" in protecting children and families from the harms of the gambling industry.

The bill introduces the country’s first strict limits on how games of chance are marketed. 

Under the new law, outdoor advertising intended to encourage gambling will be banned. Misleading messages that frame gambling as a path to financial success or a solution to personal problems will be banned. Celebrity endorsements and content targeting minors will be banned.

"We are sending a clear message that gambling cannot be normalized or presented as a lifestyle to young people," Azizi said.

To protect schoolchildren, the law will require all casinos and slot machine clubs be located at least 500 meters from elementary and high schools. Betting shops within that radius will be prohibited from installing video lottery terminals or similar equipment.

The government is also targeting online gambling sites. Azizi said authorities had already shut down 358 unlicensed foreign online platforms operating illegally in the country.

Azizi stressed that the current government's goal was to end this industry's years-long uncontrolled spread by introducing a "responsible, transparent and controlled system, with clear rules."

"This is a fight for the future of young people, for the safety of families and for the dignity of society," she said. mr/