Best Betting Sites in Serbia

Population: 6.982.604
Active players: 1.000.000
Currency: Serbian Dinar
Regulated gambling products: Sports betting, casino games (i.e. card games & slots), national lottery, bingo, keno
Designated authority: Games of Chance Administration under the Ministry of Finance
Operator types: Licensed land-based and online bookmakers
Status: Regulated

Serbia, a landlocked country in the Balkans, has played a pivotal role in some of the most important events in European history. Nowadays, it is building toward an advanced economy and has vowed military neutrality as a way to focus on domestic development. Serbians are known for being passionate about sports, and as a result, gambling traces back to the 1970s and the first casinos that sprung up in the former Yugoslavia.

In the fully regulated market, betting sites in Serbia have to gain a license from the government to operate. However, the lax nature of restrictions allows several international bookies to be open for Serbian players. The better overall product they run and the absence of fines or penalties have made Serbians overwhelmingly prefer to bet overseas.

Betting in Serbia - 5 things to know

• The legal gambling age for Serbs is 18
• Players are not required to pay taxes on their gambling winnings
• Both betting shops and online betting sites are legal in Serbia
• New legislation was enacted in late 2021
• Bettors do not face any sanctions for betting on non-licensed bookies

Best Serbia betting sites

Most offshore sportsbooks accept Serbian players, but how can you tell which is the best? We did all the leg work and ranked the best Serbia betting sites in odds, markets, promotions and in-play betting. Moreover, we considered the feedback from players who have been there long-term and included it in our rating.

Online gambling in Serbia: The gambling law framework

The foundation stone for legalising betting and all games of chance in Serbia was laid in 2005 by creating a regulatory body, namely, the Games of Chance Administration, established under the Games of Chance Act. Back then, there was no provision for online Serbian bookmakers, so an amendment was necessary for 2011, ending the monopoly of Državna Lutrija Srbije. Private companies could apply for betting licenses, and the ISPs started blocking websites from unauthorised bookies.

In November 2021, the Ministry of Finance passed a new Act. The main aim is to tackle the money laundering issues in the industry and prohibit the operation of non-regulated betting sites Serbia. In applying those actions, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Tax department are also about to jump in. The powers of the Serbian Gaming Board are also strengthened, allowing for the central monitoring of operators to promote responsible gambling and regulate more productively.

It’s been a while since the central authorities have tried to reduce illegal online betting Serbia, by following EU directives or amending current laws. The latest legislation follows the same footpath, as it wants to make it more difficult for locals to play offshore. Up until now, you only need a VPN service as most international bookmakers Serbia, will accept registrations from the country. A caveat is that they will likely not offer the local Dinar as a currency.

A standard practice that is unlikely to change is that you do not have to pay a tax on gambling winnings. There is no distinction between regulated or not Serbia betting sites; however, the new Gambling Act wants to use the Tax department to limit those who play abroad. In terms of operating costs, each sportsbook has to pay €300.000 for a license, while the minimum share capital requirement is €250.000.

The first thing to notice in payments is that many international bookies might operate in Serbia, but they do not offer the Serbian Dinar as a currency. Your best guess is to use Euro but keep an eye out for any conversion fees. In terms of payment methods, luckily you can choose from many, which we will explore.

All betting sites Serbia accept the most popular banking options for players, starting with credit/debit cards from Visa & MasterCard. Wallets like Skrill, Neteller & Paysafecard are also available, likewise cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin & Tether. If you prefer some local methods, iPay, Dinacard and mCash are good alternatives, but the availability could be minimal.

Should you wager on Serbia betting sites 

With the latest Gambling Law in November 2021, the authorities seem to take a hard stance on illegal betting. Combining the forces of several departments, aim to allow only licensed Serbian bookmakers in the market and exclude the rest. Still, most offshore bookies normally accept Serbian players for the time being. So, does the law apply after all, or it is just to discourage players?

It seems unlikely that the government will take any punitive measures against international Serbia betting companies members. Even if it decides to crack down on foreign operators seriously, it will simply order ISPs to block all access rather than punish bettors. As a result, your best guess is to stick with your preferred foreign bookie, as local ones are no match. 

The complete list of bookmakers in Serbia

Feeling overwhelmed by the bookies that accept Serbians and don’t know where to start? No worries, as we have shortlisted all the betting sites Serbia, with detailed reviews focusing on odds, markets, bonuses & live betting. Furthermore, you can check what other bettors have to say and make the best-informed decision.