Armenian opposition politician warns of $20 billion online casino losses

An Armenian opposition figure has claimed that citizens lost around $20 billion to online casinos last year, raising alarm over the scale of gambling and its impact on poverty.

Writing on social media on Thursday, Narek Karapetyan, a board member of the Strong Armenia party, argued that the rapid growth of online gambling is eroding family stability and worsening economic hardship.

“Last year, Armenian citizens lost $20 billion in online casinos,” he said, accusing political leaders of enabling the industry. He suggested that the parliamentary leadership had failed to protect the public from what he described as a destructive trend.

Karapetyan said gambling profits were being made “on the destruction of families and the impoverishment of people,” adding that his party seeks change to curb the influence of those who benefit from the industry.