Serbian Government to Take on Illegal Foreign Gambling Companies

Serbian government introduced several amendments to Serbian gambling laws last year. Now the country is preparing to enforce those laws against illegal foreign operators accessing the country’s market without a license.

According to the latest Serbia gambling news, the country’s Gaming Board obliged Serbian main ISPs to block around 70 black listed foreign gambling operators, including such renowned names as Betfair, Bwin, Skybet, William Hill, Bet-at-home, Ladbrokes and others.

The Serbian Gaming Board claims those operators do not hold a valid license to run online casinos in Serbia. So far, the Board’s directive didn’t yield any response from the ISPs, which are still consulting their lawyers.

The former president of Association of Internet Providers, Vojislav Rodic, stated that such an order could only be carried out only in case they are approved by the judiciary authority.

The change in regulations came last November and currently industry experts agree that it need further adjustments, as it lacks the necessary level of legislative precision. Currently only the National Lottery holds the power to operate any online gambling in the country and issue further licenses.

Aleksandar Vulovic, a director of the Serbian Gaming Board, commented: “We had to prevent access to illegal gambling in order to have a regulated market. Players who operate within the law and from within the state can reap benefits.”

He also added: “Currently the provision of games of chance via the internet is one of the most profitable industries and it is estimated that the revenue will double by 2013. It is simply wrong and no longer legal, that the state does not collect a penny of the millions circulating within this industry”.

The legislation change last year met a lot of resistance from industry players, but was nevertheless pushed through with great support from JAKTA. It’s a trade association representing all Serbian gaming operators, slot machine and gambling equipment producers as well as land-based casinos.

Mirjana Acimovic, JAKTA president, claims that the association carried out the necessary research and presented all compelling evidence needed for legalization of country’s online gambling to Serbian politicians.