Yerevan, January 14, 2026 — Armenia’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission chair Gegham Gevorgyan said the authority imposed around AMD 2 billion in fines (approximately $5.2 million) in 2025 and collected more than AMD 1 billion for the state budget, while signaling a decision is imminent in a high-profile abuse of dominance case involving cash register servicing.
Gevorgyan said the cash register services case, described as one of the most notable dominance-related proceedings from last year, is currently at the stage of administrative appeal review and that the public will be informed of the final outcome soon.
The chair also highlighted progress linked to legislative changes aimed at reducing late payments for agricultural products. He said that after amendments requiring processors to pay farmers within 30 days, around AMD 5.2 billion was paid to farming households. Gevorgyan added that the number of delayed payments has fallen significantly, which he said indicates the law is being enforced effectively.
In the digital and consumer services space, the authority pointed to clearer rules for marketing communications related to online gambling. Under the updated framework, consumers who are not registered on such websites or are not active participants should not receive advertising SMS messages. Users of online gambling platforms must also provide mandatory consent for receiving marketing communications and retain the right to opt out at any time.
Gevorgyan also flagged changes affecting users and drivers of the Yandex Go app, saying consumers can now see more clearly how trip prices are formed. He said Yandex Go reduced the commission taken from partner carriers in situations where fares exceed twice the base fare, and adjusted commission levels across pricing plans. The company will also fully cover cashback payments tied to the Yandex Plus service, which were previously paid by drivers.
The authority said it has also conducted market studies in areas that generate frequent consumer complaints, including construction, and is developing reforms to align advertising and contract terms and introduce clearer consumer protections. It also identified concerns in stenting services, including the impact of authorization letters on pricing and the need to revise pricing methodology to avoid double payment for the same service.
Source: https://competition.am/hy/?lng=2
