Armenia to Fine Use of Unlicensed Gaming Terms Starting February 8, 2027

The Revenue Authority in Armenia announced that, starting from February 8, 2027, no company will be allowed to use gaming-related terms in its business name, trademark, or website domain without holding a gaming licence. The ban covers eight specific terms in Armenian, and each violation will result in a fine of approximately $1,380. Companies that hold the appropriate licence can continue to use terminology associated with their type of authorisation.

What Exactly is Banned Under the New Regime on the Use of Unlicensed Gaming Terms

The measure prohibits the use of words such as gambling, casino, lottery, or betting premises — in their Armenian equivalents — in business names, registered trademarks, and internet domains if the entity does not possess a gaming licence. The official text specifies eight terms in Armenian that are included in the banned list. The operational objective is that only licensed operators can identify themselves using language that explicitly refers to gaming activities.

A clear exception is noted in the regulation: a company that has, for example, a licence for sports betting may refer to its activity as "sports betting house" or the legal equivalent that supports its licence. This correspondence between business name and type of licence is maintained.

Fines and Financial Scope of the Penalty

Each violation will incur a fine of approximately $1,380. This amount applies for each instance of unauthorized use of the banned term in a name, trademark, or domain; the regulation does not limit in the publicised text the maximum number of notices or fines per company if the violation occurs across different assets.

The Revenue Authority in Armenia will be the authority responsible for overseeing and enforcing the administrative penalties related to this provision. The measure is part of a broader package of regulatory changes that come into effect on the same dates.

Complementary Measures Coming Into Effect on February 8, 2027

The ban on unlicensed term usage is not isolated. Its implementation coincides with other operational obligations:

• telecommunications companies must block unauthorised gaming websites based on an updated daily list; link to the other requirement in /regulation

• restrictions will be imposed on advertising linked to unlicensed operators;

• payment activities that facilitate operations for unauthorised gaming businesses will be limited, impacting financial service providers and payment gateways. link about relevant payments in /payments

The package aims to close access and visibility routes for unlicensed operators: blocking domains, reducing exposure in media, and limiting payment flows.

"While we block, say, 50 websites, by the time the process is completed, relevant organisations have already created another 50 websites that must undergo the same process again," said Rafael Gevorgyan, deputy committee chairman.

Rafael Gevorgyan's quote highlights the operational difficulty in combating the dynamic proliferation of domains and platforms operating without authorisation.

Additional Rules on Player and Consumer Protection

The reform includes player protection rules that will be activated on nearby dates and complement the restriction on business naming. A new player protection law will come into effect on January 1, 2027. Among the measures cited by the authority are:

• a voluntary self-exclusion mechanism for online gaming for a period of five years;

• a limit that ensures spending on gaming does not exceed 20% of the player’s annual income;

• the prohibition of participating in gambling for individuals receiving social benefits, pensioners without other income, and people in bankruptcy.

These provisions aim to limit the exposure of vulnerable groups and provide players with direct control tools, such as extended self-exclusion.

Practical Impact for Operators, Brands, and Providers

Licensed houses will need to review their branding, trademark contracts, and domain strategies to ensure that the terminology they use in business names corresponds with the authorisations they hold. Companies without a licence currently using restricted terms will need to rename, change domains, or regularise their situation by obtaining the appropriate licence.

Technical service providers — hosting, domain registrars, payment processors — will be key players in the implementation. The blocking orders to telecommunications and the payment restrictions place these providers in an operational position to cut off access and monetisation channels for unlicensed operators. For international platforms and brands directing traffic to Armenia, compliance requires reviewing digital and payment supply chains.

Deadlines and Upcoming Regulatory Milestones

The player protection law comes into effect on January 1, 2027. The prohibition on the use of terms will take effect on February 8, 2027, and will apply from that date to names, trademarks, and domains. Additional obligations related to website blocking, advertising restrictions, and payment limitations will begin to operate simultaneously with the prohibition of commercial language.

Operators looking to maintain or expand their activities in Armenia must schedule branding changes and technical adjustments before February 8, 2027. The tax and regulatory authority has communicated the timeline for these measures to be effective in practice from those dates.