ARMENIA Law and Practice Contributed by: Roustam Badasyan, Artur Manukyan, Marianna Grigoryan and Davit Baklachyan, Badasyan Consulting LLC
or terrorist financing, reporting entities may limit the due diligence process to identification and verification while still reporting suspicious activity to the compe- tent authority. This framework ensures that gambling organisers play a key role in preventing illicit financial activity, striking a balance between effective oversight and the practi- calities of ongoing customer relationships.
operations is subject to strict limitations. Promotion of monetary winnings through mass media is prohib- ited. Broadcasting of prize draws, or combined lot- tery winnings, is permitted only in accordance with the schedule and procedures approved by the com- petent authority, limited to the hours between 22:00 and 07:00, and may not exceed a total duration of 30 minutes. External advertising is restricted in size and may display only the corporate name or logo. Larger signs are not to exceed 5 square metres, and smaller signs at building entrances are limited to 0.5 square metres. All advertising must include age-appropriate markings: “21+” for games of chance (including online games of chance), totalisers, and casino promotions, and “18+” for lottery advertising. It is prohibited to depict minors or monetary assets in advertisements, target minors, create the impression of guaranteed winnings, present gambling as a source of regular income or an alter- native to employment, suggest social or professional success through gambling, or criticise non-partici- pation. Advertisements must include a clear warning regarding the prohibition of playing while intoxicated or under the influence of substances, and the risk of financial loss, which must be as prominent as other information in the advertisement. Unlicensed organisers of lotteries, games of chance, internet games of chance, or casinos are prohibited from advertising within Armenia. Advertising via public broadcasters is further restricted: games of chance (including online games of chance), lotteries, casinos, nightclubs, tobacco products, and other prohibited goods or services may not be promoted as sponsors or featured in programmes. Advertising of foreign gambling activities within Armenia or via websites accessible from Armenia is prohibited, including both facilitation of access and promotional content. Exceptions are limited to official websites and prem- ises of authorised organisers, or, in the case of lotter- ies, to authorised points of sale. 9.5 Sanctions/Penalties Under the Gaming Law, non-compliance with adver- tising rules is subject to fines of up to AMD2 million (EUR4,478) per instance.
9. Advertising 9.1 Regulatory/Supervisory Agency
Under the Gaming Law, the Supervisory Authority is responsible for monitoring compliance with advertis- ing requirements and restrictions and is empowered to impose financial penalties on organisers for any breaches. 9.2 Definition of Advertising The Armenian Law on Advertising defines “advertis- ing” as the dissemination of information about legal or natural persons, products, ideas, or initiatives to an indeterminate number of individuals through various types of information channels, intended to generate or maintain interest in the relevant persons, products, or initiatives. 9.3 Key Legal, Regulatory and Licensing Provisions Advertising of lotteries, games of chance (including online games of chance), and casino operations is governed primarily by the Gaming Law and the Law on Advertising. Only licensed gaming activity organisers are permitted to advertise within Armenia. Advertising must com- ply with content, format, and timing requirements approved by the supervisory authority. The competent authority has the power to monitor compliance, issue guidance on acceptable advertising practices, and impose penalties for breaches. 9.4 Restrictions on Advertising Under Armenian law, the advertising of lotteries, gam- bling activities, including online gambling, and casino
22 CHAMBERS.COM
Powered by FlippingBook