Most Popular Bookies in Macedonia

Many residents started showing interest in football betting as a result. Most sportsbooks in North Macedonia come as mobile apps, allowing bettors to enjoy sports betting on the go. Such technology enables players to wager from wherever they may be as long as there is an internet connection.

Most apps are designed for Android and iOS devices, but their web versions are accessible via mobile browsers and desktop computers. The top sports betting sites listed here will help punters choose the most suitable. All that is needed is to click the available link, and it will direct the user to the bookie's homepage.

Betting outlets and bookmakers have been legal in the Republic of North Macedonia since 1991. In 1991, North Macedonia declared independence from Yugoslavia and began a journey toward steady economic growth. As the state continued to develop, the gambling industry gained a lot of traction.

Gambling legislation was first introduced in 1997, but it was sketchy. Companies specializing in sports events first introduced their betting services in 1999. The betting market remained a gray area for a while until the Law on Games of Chance and entertainment games was proposed in 2011 and enacted in 2013.

In 2014, online gambling was legalized, but only for lotteries. With technical assistance from ISPs, the government would block specific international betting sites. But this did not prevent Macedonians from betting at those sites. They used VPNs to bypass the restriction.

Online sports betting in Macedonia was not regulated until 2020, when the authorities started issuing licenses to sportsbook sites. The Law on Games of Chance was amended the same year to curb problem gambling, especially due to the global pandemic that forced many Macedonians to remain indoors.

Sports betting in Macedonia is generally just called betting. A significant percentage of sports betting fans comprise young men. The male population spends a lot of time discussing athletic events in sports cafes. The Ministry of Finance recognizes 11 licensed bookmakers, most of which are situated in the capital Skopje.

Popular chains include Sports Life, Evro, and Barsa. Other betting shops operate in residential areas. They feature lounges where players can watch live sporting events on television. They also have other gambling options, such as table games and slot machines. Macedonia supports the bookmaking industry since it is a significant source of revenue, generating about 3M Macedonian Denar (MKD) every year.

Online sports betting is popular in Macedonia, particularly in football. Luckily, online bookmakers are legal even though they operate under a state monopoly that restricts players in some ways, e.g., they only allow bets on a limited number of sports.

Despite their economic status, a vast number of Macedonians play games of chance regularly. Since only a few sports betting sites are licensed to operate locally, most punters opt to bet on foreign sportsbooks. Offshore sites are more appealing thanks to wider betting markets, higher odds, and generous bonuses.

Online bookmakers in Macedonia are permitted by law, and almost 50% of the citizens are involved in some kind of betting. Only two online sportsbooks are licensed and regulated by the Ministry of Finance. The available bets are offered by a monopoly, and so most bettors prefer international sites.

The minimum age for betting is 18 years. Any winnings above MKD5 from a licensed bookie are subjected to a 10% tax, while the operators pay 20% of their gross revenue. All kinds of blood sports, such as bullfights and cockfighting, are banned because they are deemed animal cruelty. Similarly, betting on the same is considered illegal.

All sports betting licenses must be obtained from the Ministry of Finance. Operators should contact the authorities before establishing any betting firm within the country. Plus, their websites must be designed in English. Bookmakers usually undergo inspection as required by the Law on Inspection Supervision.

A bookmaking license is valid for six years and is offered for a specific venue. There is no standalone license for an online sportsbook, but the land-based avenues are permitted to conduct their operations over the internet since 2020.

All types of gambling are governed by the Law on Games of Chance and Entertainment Games. The act was published on 5 July 2017 in the national newspaper. The regulatory act allows both online and offline betting activities. Section 10 of the same law lays down a set of customer protection measures.

The protocols do not identify with the European markets, though. Any online betting operator must design rules to maintain the safety of online betting transactions, registration process, computer programs, and monitoring. They are also required to comply with KYC procedures to show the location, identity, and financial details of the bettors.

The Law on Games of Chance also requires betting operators to establish a program for responsible gambling. They have the mandate to limit the type of game, number of bets, and amount of money players can spend on their sites. Because no commercial interactive market is involved, online sports betting licenses do not exist.

The Macedonian government had previously permitted foreign sites to operate freely (on the condition that they put up €6 million as a capital investment) until the Law on Games of Chance was introduced. Later, the legislators blocked offshore websites because they were exploiting the local market.

Knowing how to load a betting account with money and withdraw winnings is fundamental to an enjoyable betting experience. To remain competitive in the industry, sports betting sites for Macedonians provide bettors with safe payment methods. Credit and debit cards of MasterCard, American Express, and Visa are accepted.

American Express is a global money transfer system that offers quick and easy transactions. MasterCard is highly secure and convenient, and so is Visa. A common thing with these cards is that they involve the input of the card number, the CVV code, and the expiry date. This means that the player's identity is exposed in the sportsbook when placing real-money bets.

Other convenient alternatives are bank wire, ecoPayz, Skrill, PayPal, and Neteller. PayPal is encrypted and easier to use. It is a perfect e-wallet for saving money. Besides the domestic platforms, many international online bookies accept MKD. Some payment methods have lower or higher transaction limits. It is, therefore, imperative to know how to use them for betting.