Most Popular eSports Bookies in Serbia

The esports industry has grown and diversified immensely over the last five years. It is now a multi-billion dollar global industry. Online betting in Serbia, however, experienced a rough start compared to other nations. The first notable betting activity was in 1964 when the country was part of Yugoslavia. There was a federal law made to distinguish between classical games of choice and special games of choice. Despite some challenges at the start, the industry has overcome and grown impressively.

Bettors in Serbia have embraced the venture, with a huge population engaging in the esports sector. The Serbian government introduced regulations to govern the gaming sector after 1964. Due to the absence of harsh gambling laws in the country, there has been the presence of several esport betting service providers in the country. This has been a worthwhile venture in Serbia to tap on the growing demand for esports betting due to an increasing number of players.

Most Popular eSports Bookies in Serbia
Liam Fletcher
Written byLiam FletcherWriter
Researched byHaruki NakamuraResearcher
Localised byJean-Paul UwizeyeLocaliser
Online betting proper

Online betting proper

The Serbian government adopted an online gambling law in 2011. The law required that any betting organization setting up its activities within Serbian confines relocate its servers to the country. If the company failed to do this, they risked getting blacklisted in the Serbian territory.

The government gave gambling authorities the power to stop all illegal underground gambling. By doing so, the government aimed to curb gambling tax evasion which had led to huge losses of millions of Euros. As a result, many senior gambling executives were arrested due to bribery allegations.

However, with a regulatory structure in place, many sports betting companies had a chance to operate legally in Serbia. Most of these bookmakers began offering esports betting markets. These have proved increasingly popular over the last decade.

Online betting proper
History of esports betting in Serbia

History of esports betting in Serbia

The ancient history of gambling in Serbia can be traced back to the Second World War, when betting boosted the country’s economy, especially in the tourism sector. The next huge step in the gambling sector took place in the 1960s, while the country was still part of Yugoslavia.

The federal law made a distinction between ‘classical games of choice' and 'special games of choice'. This law provided that only tourists could participate in the special games of choice in casinos. This form of wagering or accessing gambling dens was prohibited for locals.

Betting in post-Yugoslavia Days

Laws in the gambling sector were harsher when Serbia was part of Yugoslavia than when it became independent. For instance, gambling service providers had to acquire the necessary authorization from the government. After the country obtained independence, the restrictions and enforcement on betting were relaxed.

In 2011, the betting sector broadened with the Games of Chance Act which legalized various types of gambling. Some of these areas include casino games, slots, and online betting which paved the way for online esports betting. With this expansion, the industry grew and became a cash cow for the Serbian government, generating revenue from taxes and gaming fees.

In a plan to integrate Serbia into the European Union bookmaking market, they amended their gambling legislation to be compliant with the EU directives. Some directives which were amended in 2020 included making betting licenses easily available to private organizations, as well as trying to eradicate match-fixing.

History of esports betting in Serbia
Esports nowadays in Serbia

Esports nowadays in Serbia

Esports gambling in the country has been well accepted, attracting a huge number of players. For this reason, the best esports betting sites in Serbia have established themselves in the country. With the influx of many esports betting providers, there has been a positive change in the quality of services, since every company wants to get a grip on the market. Many Serbian bookmakers are offering good promotions and welcome bonuses to attract new clients. Some top legal companies offering esports betting include Melbet, Betwinner, and Bet365. Currently, Serbia blocks ISPs for unregulated bookies as a way of controlling foreign sportsbooks.

High Internet Usage Encourages esports Betting

The internet is presently a big thing in Serbia. Being an upper-middle-income nation, Serbia has a good internet connection and a usage of 84% in its 8.6 million people population. The residents can easily access internet services, making it easy for gambling enthusiasts to access betting sites and applications. Financial platforms have also embraced the internet. This has made it easy for esports players to manage deposits and withdrawals. The ability to quickly move money in and out of betting accounts increases betting activities.

The period when mainstream sports were suspended due to Covid was a good one for esports. Many people turned to the only sporting activity on offer. Punters learned of new avenues and the betting market has been growing exponentially since then.

Esports nowadays in Serbia
Future of esports betting in Serbia

Future of esports betting in Serbia

For the foreseeable future, esports betting is expected to grow and be of great importance to bookmakers. This is because of the increasing technology which will make esports gambling in Serbia easily accessible. The presence of esports betting sites and applications has made things easier. There are high expectations for more technological innovations that will help improve accessibility and the customer experience when gambling.

There is also an increase in the number of esports games, which will result in a rise in esports betting. It is expected that many new bookmakers will join the market. This will be good for the Serbian government because of an increase in revenue from taxes. Players will also benefit because the new entrants will pose competition to existing set-ups, prompting them to improve the quality of services or risk losing their customers.

As this form of betting grows, new legislation is likely to be put in place to govern esports betting.

Future of esports betting in Serbia
Esport legislations in Serbia

Esport legislations in Serbia

Currently, Serbia has worked to ensure most of the regulations in the esports sector are in harmony with the European Union requirements. This coordination helps the Serbian market to be relevant and competitive in Europe. There is a new bill introduced by the finance minister of Serbia to replace the existing 2011 Gambling Act. The bill seeks to raise online taxes and expand casino gaming. One of the proposals in the bill is to increase the tax rate for online gaming from 5% to 15% of the gross revenue.

The bill suggests that there should be an increase in the number of licenses for land-based casinos. Also, there will be new restrictions to be introduced on the location of bookmakers and slot machines. They should be located away from education institutions and they should not be within 100 meters from one another.

Esport legislations in Serbia
Betting acts in Serbia

Betting acts in Serbia

  • The Gambling Act of 1964: This act was responsible for legalizing gambling in the country. The act was adopted when Serbia was still part of Yugoslavia
  • The Serbian Gambling Act of 2011: The Serbian government passed a new betting law that came into effect in 2012.
  • The Games of Chance Act: This Act was adopted in March of 2020 and imposed a minimum distance of 100 meters between betting joints. This act only affected new betting establishments.
Betting acts in Serbia
Serbian players favourite games

Serbian players favourite games

Game variety is an important aspect of the betting sector. Providing several games to choose from keeps players entertained and engaged at all times, since everyone will be able to find something that interests them.

Top gambling platforms that are operational in Serbia offer several esport games to meet the varying tastes and preferences in the market. Although they are the newest type of sports betting offered, esports are already widely popular among punters in Serbia.

  • FIFA: Serbia has always been passionate about soccer, even though it is not a powerhouse in Europe. As a result, many people found the FIFA esport highly relatable and took to it. Leading betting sites offer esports betting markets and record a continual increase in the number of customers.
  • Dota 2: The popularity of this Multi-Player Online Battle Arena (MOBA) game has been reflected in Serbia. Betting markets go crazy during its Dota Pro Circuit and the International Competitions.
  • Counter Strike: Global Offensive: This First-Person Shooter (FPS) game is loved both for its thrill and the abundance of Majors to bet on. Punters also find it easy to understand and therefore easy to place various types of bets.
Serbian players favourite games
Payment methods in Serbia

Payment methods in Serbia

For a smooth gambling experience, there is a need for fast and effortless money transactions. Deposits have to be timely to ensure bets are placed on time. There should also be a variety of payment platforms so that everyone can find a favorable method to make deposits and withdrawals.

When choosing a payment platform, one should be considerate of the time taken to process the payments. Top gambling sites which are based in Serbia offer many payment and withdrawal options for their clients to cater to varying needs.

  • Cards: Among the many payment options, debit and credit cards are most customers' favorite due to their fast transactions. Deposits are instant, and withdrawals are sorted out within a few working days.
  • E-wallets: In recent years, players have developed a liking for the e-wallets platform. Popular e-wallets among Serbian players are Skrill and Klarna.
  • Cryptocurrency: Recently, there has been a surge in the popularity of cryptocurrencies. This is mainly because of the instant transactions it offers and the improved security. The method gives players anonymity, increasing their online security.

Other payment options available in the Serbian market are NeoSurf, Boku, MuchBetter, Neteller, MasterCard, Trustly, and Bank Transfer.

Payment methods in Serbia
FAQs

FAQs

Some of the important topics that are frequently asked about by Serbian players include:

Is gambling in Serbia legal?

Yes. Serbia has structures in place to guide on what is and what is not permitted in betting and gambling.

Which are the best esports games offered by betting sites in Serbia?

'Best' is a personal preference. However, players in Serbia tend to prefer betting in FIFA, Dota 2, and CS: GO

What is the best type of casino bonus offered by Serbian casinos?

Welcome bonuses, deposit bonuses, and loyalty bonuses are the best. Terms vary from one betting house to another, however.

Is it possible to access Serbian casino sites by using a mobile phone?

Top casino sites in Serbia are accessible by phone through applications and browsers, provided the phone is iOS, Windows, or Android-powered.

What are the best deposit methods for Serbian online casinos?

Cards are the most popular deposit method in Serbia. E-wallets and crypto are popular as well.

Is it possible to use cryptocurrencies as a payment method in Serbian casinos?

Yes, cryptocurrencies are accepted in top casinos.

Is gambling in Serbian casinos safe?

Safety is assured on these esports betting sites because the venture is well regulated.

FAQs
About the author
Liam Fletcher
Liam Fletcher

Liam "CyberScribe" Fletcher, a Kiwi with a flair for fast-paced gameplay and articulate narratives, has emerged as a prominent voice at EsportRanker. Diving deep into the esports universe, Liam crafts comprehensive reviews, strategic insights, and captivating tales from behind the screens.

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