Albanian Capital Nudges Gambling Dens Into Suburbs

Slot machine

According to the new zoning bill, Tirna's many gambling parlours will have to relocate to an out-of-town former tractor factory owned by the municipality.

The municipality says it wants gambling businesses relocated out of the centre because of their negative impact on the life of the community.

The new tax will have to be paid by all the electronic casinos and gambling dens in the city, apart from those that relocate to the old factory in the eastern suburb of Sauk.

Up until March 31, 2013, those business that do not relocate to the site will have to pay eight euro per square meter every month, while after March 31 the taxes will be ten times higher.

If the gambling dens relocate to Sauk by March 31, they will be reimbursed with the taxes that they have already paid. If they relocate after the March 31 deadline they will be reimbursed only 50 per cent of the taxes they paid.

Gambling has soared in Albania in recent years. According to tax records Albanians spend nearly 100 million euro on gambling activities every year.