North Macedonia gambling tax payments surge 1.6B EUR ahead of relocation deadline

Public Revenue Administration data shows gambling operators paid nearly 1.6 billion euros in H1 2026, up from 2.8 billion for all of 2025, indicating accelerated compliance ahead of relocation deadlines. The surge suggests operators are front-loading payments, possibly to secure licenses or avoid penalties, but the underlying driver—whether regulatory pressure or revenue growth—remains unclear. This matters as it signals fiscal revenue strength and potential regulatory tightening in North Macedonia's gambling sector.