After the initiative to legally close down gambling from January 1, 2019, the companies that practiced this activity dropped from the list of the largest, both in terms of revenue and profits. Only "Regency Casino" continued to operate.
But, 2021 brought the re-entry to the list of the first company, which returned through the management of casinos in 5-star hotels.
In 2025, their activity has increased, also influenced by tourism, as other companies are approaching the "Monitor 200" list.
Adria Entertainment reported revenues of 3.4 billion lek, with an annual growth of 12.4%. According to the activity report, 84% of the revenues came from casino activity and the rest mainly from bar services.
"Revenue from casino operating activities, which constitute the main revenue item, increased by about 3%.
Meanwhile, income from the secondary activity of the bar marked a strong increase, of 136% on an annual basis. Paid liabilities that constitute taxes and fees occupy a specific weight of 34% of all expenses of the fiscal year," the activity report states.
"During 2025, there was a high frequency of foreign clients and foreign employees working in our company, this positioning has promoted the country's economy by increasing the income that comes indirectly to the accommodation sector and operators operating in the flight sector." The number of employees was 326.
“Adria Entertainment” manages “Grand Casino Tirana”, which operates on the premises of “Maritim Hotel Plaza Tirana”. The company was licensed in May 2020 for the category “casinos located in 5-star hotels”.
"Adria Entertainment" is the former "Apex-Al", one of the previous gambling operators in Albania.
“Regency International Casino Tirana” has recovered its activity in the last two years, after the decline caused by the pandemic. In 2025, revenues reached 2.6 billion lek, with an expansion of 11.4%. The company has 1001 electronic machines, according to the annual report. The company has 465 employees.
“Space +” is the company that manages the casino in “Arena Center”, owned by “GLG Investment”, founded in 2021. The company declared revenues of 2.1 billion lek in 2025, almost at the same level as the previous year. The company has 264 employees.
“Balkan Interactive Group” (BIG) , a company established in 2022 and owned by “Valona Konstruksion”, manages the casino at the “Radisson Collection Morina Hotel Tirana”. The company reported revenues of 639 million lek in 2025, an increase of 49%. The company had 127 employees in 2025.
New start of gambling
In 2018, the last year of gambling activity, the annual turnover of licensed companies was around 140 million euros, with 60% of the total coming from casinos, according to previous data from "Monitor" in its rankings of the largest companies in the country.
This was only the official market, while estimates of real activity were several times higher, due to massive informality.
"Apex-Al", "Lotto Sport", "Top Sport" and "Adriatik Game" were among the largest gambling operators in the country.
In 2017, each of them had an annual turnover of around 2.2-2.5 billion lek. ITSGA was the largest company by number of employees, with around 3 thousand employees and revenues of 1.4 billion lek. The sector was among the most profitable in the economy, with profit margins ranging from 30% to 70% for some operators.
At the end of 2018, the government closed down electronic casinos, sports betting, racetrack betting, bingo halls and online gambling. The exceptions were casinos located in 5-star hotels, while the Regency, which operated at the Rinia Park with a 10-year license, continued its activity until the end of its term.
In 2020, the area in Tirana where casino activity could be carried out was also determined and then the procedure for applications from interested operators was opened. Currently, at least five casinos located in international or “brand name” hotels operate in the capital and on the coast, but only one of their operators results in the “Monitor 200” ranking.
In June 2023, the government approved the law that restored betting, but only online. It foresees that online betting will be played via phones, tablets, iPads, laptops, but not limited to them, as well as on official websites, applications of entities licensed to carry out the activity of "online sports betting"./ Monitor.al
