Nearly €1.6 billion wagered in casinos, slot clubs and bookmakers in first half of the year
Public Revenue Office data show slot machines dominate play; operators warn planned relocations could spur illegal gambling.
Data from the Public Revenue Office show that in the first half of the year Macedonian and foreign citizens staked nearly €1.6 billion in casinos, slot clubs and bookmakers, with slot machines accounting for the largest share of play.
The figures cover combined payments made at licensed gambling venues across the country. The Public Revenue Office recorded steady receipts despite ongoing deadlines tied to the planned relocation of gambling venues away from educational institutions.
Officials and industry sources say that automatic machines remain the primary driver of turnover, although the available public data do not provide a more detailed breakdown by device or by region.
Organisers of games of chance warn that moving venues further from schools will not reduce gambling but may instead create conditions that favour illegal operators. They argue the relocations could push some demand outside the regulated market.
The topic is examined in a broadcast analysis by Mirjana Jovevska on the programme "Business Objective" with Natasha Stojanovska.
Photo: press material from the event
