Find the Best Bookmakers in Serbia 2023 🇷🇸

Depending on the sports bookmaker site, players will find a variety of markets to put their stakes. One of the favorite options for Serbian punters is live sports betting. To progress quicker, those looking for the best sites will find some of the top bookies on this platform.

But it is advisable to check reviews and compare site offerings before choosing one. For safety reasons, it is good to examine if the chosen site is licensed and if it has the desired sporting markets and events. Another important consideration is the payment method.

History of betting in Serbia

Even though the betting history of Serbia stretches back to the Second World War, the first instance of legal betting started in 1964 when Serbia was part of the socialist federation of Yugoslavia. In those days, the federal law considered classical and special games of choice as two different activities.

Special games of choice were offered in casinos targeted at tourists only. The locals were not allowed to play such. And so, they could only participate in classical games of choice. All betting operators had to seek the government's approval.

The country's gambling sector has since grown into a profitable and regulated industry. It plays a significant role in the growth of the tourism industry. When Serbia gained independence, all betting laws were relaxed so that everyone could play casino games and sports betting freely. However, an economic crisis saw many gambling houses go bankrupt.

In 2000, a new decree was put in place to make a state monopoly the overseer of betting operations across the country. Then, a legislative bill was proposed in 2004 to split betting into four classes and recognize online betting for State Lottery. The law was officially enacted in 2005.

Betting nowadays in Serbia

From 2005 to 2010, online sports betting was purely a state-controlled affair; many domestic players were forced to register with overseas providers. Luckily, the Gaming Authority, in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance, started issuing licenses to private operators in 2011.

There was a rise in internet gambling and a proliferation of games such as slots and bingo. The taxes and licensing fees from these activities amounted to millions of revenue for the government, and the industry burgeoned.

Today, 40% of the betting revenue is used by the Red Cross of Serbia. All licensed operators pay gambling tax (5%), but unregulated sports betting is common in the country. Serbian betting companies face a real problem with minor protection, but lawmakers are working towards effective solutions.

Both land-based and online bookies, except the monopolized lottery, are supervised by the Games of Chance Administration. A lot of people from Serbia bet on sports today. Only a few domestic sports betting sites exist, and most punters prefer licensed international bookmakers.

While accessing foreign gambling websites, punters don't need a VPN because those sites are not censored. Other citizens try their luck at physical betting shops spread across the country. They also play the lottery by Državna Lutrija Srbije, the state monopoly.

Future of betting in Serbia

It was speculated that Serbia was considering further regulation of the online betting market in 2014. Despite this, there has yet to be any indication of this. Everything seems to be as it was with a couple of local betting sites and numerous offshore platforms. Serbia applied to join the European Union in 2009 and is expected to be an EU member by 2025.

As expected, this will bring many changes in the gambling jurisdiction whereby EU licensed bookmakers would be allowed to provide their services freely to the Serbs. In 2020, the laws were indeed amended to fit the EU directives. Private companies can now obtain local licenses but take social responsibility in promoting betting and eliminating match-fixing.

Even though no international sportsbooks have been granted a local license, no one has been prosecuted so far for accessing these sites. It would make sense if the Serbian government granted offshore sites licenses to function freely in the future. It will be a giant step, especially compared to many European countries.

The country is in the right direction to make online sports betting work for the fans, operators, and regulators. This will bring an immense diversity in the sports betting industry and significant revenue as Serbia joins the EU.

Are casinos legal in Serbia?

Only ten casinos are allowed in Serbia as per the provisions of the Games of Chance Act. These casinos must be scattered across all regions. Nevertheless, only two casinos are licensed to operate in the country. Both are within big hotels in Belgrade, the capital city.

They serve clients who also book services like accommodation, vacation stays, bars and restaurants, cultural events, and conferences. Players will find gaming tables for roulette, poker, blackjack, and numerous slot machines. One of the casinos hosts the famous Danube Poker Masters Series that happens twice a year.

Casinos in Serbia are monitored by the Games of Chance Administration. Only 18-year-olds and above are allowed into these places, and they must present proper documentation to be given access. Locals use national IDs while foreigners must show their passports. Moreover, visitors must steer clear of specific dress codes. For instance, Bermuda shorts, hats, open-toe sandals, sunglasses, veils, face masks, capri pants, and sleeveless shirts are forbidden.

As far as online casinos are concerned, Serbia offers 12 local sites where bettors can enjoy casino games and other forms of gambling. Euro is the most accepted currency on these sites.

Betting legislation in Serbia

Serbian legislation on gambling is not as rigorous as in other nations. Many locals sign up to unlicensed providers without incrimination. The only problem of betting in unlicensed sites is the lack of government-backed protection for customer data. The legality of a site is usually indicated at the bottom of the homepage.

Most sites put licensing information at the footer. Even the legal betting apps in Serbia have adopted this as a standard practice. Interestingly, Serbia is one of the few countries that doesn't charge punters taxes when they win bets.

Serbian authorities once imposed an ISP blacklist in 2012. News had it that about 70 foreign online betting sites were to be blocked with the help of local ISPs. Some of the world-renowned operators were on the censorship list, but Serbian ISPs disagreed with this move, so it didn't succeed. If the new gambling law (intended to replace the Games of Chance Act) is passed, there will be a restriction on the location of bookmakers and slot machines.

They should be placed more than 200m away from schools and pedestrian paths and 100m from other betting establishments. Moreover, the law will enforce digital surveillance to monitor illegal sites that will eventually be closed by the Gambling Authority.

Betting acts in Serbia

The 2011 Games of Chance Act put an end to the monopoly of online betting by the State Lottery. It allowed providers to obtain licenses for sports betting and other forms of gambling. There was a proposed amendment to the Games of Chance Act in 2015 to ban the use of credit cards in overseas betting sites.

This would have made it harder for the Serbs to wager their accounts and for local banks to process payments. But this never came to pass because the authorities figured out that betting sites would have found alternative payment methods for the Serbs.

A new bill introduced by Siniša Mali, the Minister of Finance, seeks to replace the aforementioned 2011 Gambling Act. In the proposed regulations, the online betting tax rate will be increased from 5% to 15%, while other games would be charged 10%.

While responding to public comments on the draft bill, the Ministry of Finance explained that the taxation would be increased because 75% of the betting revenue in Serbia originated from internet bets while the remainder comes from other games. The bill also seeks to give more licenses to brick-and-mortar gambling houses. Each betting house should pay a least €500,000 to acquire the permit.

Serbian players' favorite games

Online bookmakers in Serbia offer opportunities to bet on popular sports. However, punters are not limited to the list highlighted below. They can bet on any sport they want after registering on the recommended websites on this page.

Football

Football leagues in Serbia are managed by the FSS or Football Association of Serbia. Serbian Superliga is a top-tier league followed by the Serbian First League and Serbian League. Another popular football club in the country is the Red Star Belgrade. As expected, football bets are extremely popular, and the available markets and events are virtually limitless.

Players have a chance to wager on various matches every day. Besides the American Football, NFL, Serbian bettors also bet on Nacionalna Liga Srbije, which is the American Football league of Serbia. They also bet on international leagues like the UEFA and Premier League.

Baseball

Top sports betting sites in Serbia provide a decent selection of baseball events such as NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball), which comes with such bets as prop, run line, money line, and totals.

Other Sports

Tennis is among the supported games in Serbian sports betting platforms. Serbs love to wager on ATP finals and the Serbia Open Tennis Tournament. In basketball, bettors are keen on the FIBA championship league, EuroCup, and EuroLeague. Last but not least is golf betting, especially on the Open Championship finals. Tournaments such as European Tour, Champion Tour, and PGA Tour are common options for local gamblers.

Payment methods in Serbia

The best sportsbooks in Serbia offer a variety of banking methods with sufficient security. Some are not only common in the country but also widely used throughout the world. They include:

Credit and debit cards, e.g., Maestro, Visa, and Mastercard
E-Wallets, e.g., Skrill, Neteller, and PayPal
Bank transfer
Prepaid cards, e.g., PaySafeCard

Depositing with bank cards is instant and almost always free of charge, but withdrawals may not be possible with some credit cards. Similarly, e-wallets do not charge customers when they deposit funds to their betting accounts. However, a small fee may apply when cashing out winnings to an e-wallet, and the betting site will often incur the cost.

Major betting sites may not support the Serbian dinar, but this doesn't affect Serbian players in any way. Once they choose a suitable method, the site will convert din into US dollars or Euros. Currency exchange fees are possible, but they are often negligible.

Regular players know the importance of e-wallets because they store funds online and help manage the bankroll better. Plus, e-wallets store funds in global currencies, eliminating conversion hassle.

FAQs

Are all betting sites for Serbian players licensed?

Numerous sports betting sites from other countries accept Serbs even if they are not licensed in Serbia. While they are technically illegal to operate in the country, they follow the gambling laws of their countries of origin. Since they follow their jurisdictions, they are not obligated to adhere to Serbian legislation.

What offers do Serbian sportsbooks provide?

The best sports betting sites in Serbia give free bets, matched deposits, cashback rewards, and improved odds. Based on the site itself, punters may have additional choices to make their experience more thrilling.

Is there live sports betting in Serbia?

Yes. Live bets are available for Serbian punters. Many betting sites have incorporated the live-streaming feature where players place bets on events happening in real-time.

Is elections betting allowed in Serbia?

Yes. It is possible to bet on political elections on the condition that one has attained the minimum legal age of 18 years.

Is a sports betting app better than the web version of a site?

Top sports betting companies provide apps that have the same functionalities as the web version of the sportsbook. There isn't anything special about an app except that it is more portable than using a desktop computer. An app makes betting on smartphones incredibly easy. Players can use the app anywhere and anytime on mobile.

Most Popular Bookies in Serbia