Serbia has a long gambling history. Despite having existed since the Roman Empire, gambling was first recorded in Serbia in the 1960s, when Serbia was still a part of Yugoslavia. This move was inspired mainly by the potential to raise more revenue from tourists from neighboring European countries.
During the early days, the government had a low opinion of gambling. As a result, only tourists were allowed to gamble, with all Serbs prohibited from visiting any gambling premises or engaging in any form of betting. As a result, this legal position drove most Serbian punters, at the time, into illegal gambling dens.
With most gambling venues in Serbia being illegal till the late 90s, the legal position changed in 2004, following a 'new' legislative act that saw the state monopolize all gambling activities in the country.
Gambling in Serbia nowadays
The Games of Chance Act, enacted in 2011, largely informs the current state of the Serbian betting industry. This new law saw the betting industry, both online and land-based, become regulated. Today, even foreign operators are allowed to apply for a license in Serbia, which comes with some strict requirements, including having offices in the country.
According to the 2011 act, the government can also protect Serbian punters when accessing online casinos. In addition, the Serbian government also blocks unlicensed casino sites, making it a lot easier for players to ascertain the licensing status of any casino.
Key changes in Serbian gambling
A lot has happened in the Serbian betting industry over the years. The liberalization of the gambling industry, especially allowing foreign casino operators, has been instrumental. Besides playing at new gambling sites licensed by Serbian authorities, hundreds of offshore casinos accept Serbian punters. This essentially means offshore casinos accept Serbian payment methods, and some also pay in the Serbian Dinar.