Seven gambling industry associations from the Balkan region recently signed a memorandum of cooperation in Belgrade, officially establishing the Balkan Gambling Federation. This initiative was hosted by the Serbian Gambling Operators Association and jointly promoted by the Bulgarian Online Gambling Operators Association. The federation aims to create a regional policy coordination platform without replacing the existing national industry associations, promoting cross-border collaboration in the gambling industry. Frankly speaking, the level of gambling regulation varies across the Balkan Peninsula, and the fact that these countries have come together to form a federation is already significant progress.
The seven member countries join forces, with combating illegal gambling as a top priority
The seven countries that signed the memorandum are: Serbia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia. Each of these countries has a distinctive gambling market: Serbia and Romania have sizable online gambling markets, attracting international operators like Bet365 and Evoke, with Superbet recently entering the region through the acquisition of Maxbet; Croatia and Bulgaria, besides online operations, also have significant offline casino industries; while Bosnia and Herzegovina's regulatory environment is relatively fragmented, which is precisely what the federation hopes to improve.
The federation stated that it will utilize the expertise and resources of its member countries to focus on strengthening the enforcement against illegal gambling. Specific directions include combating unfair competition, promoting the exchange of best regulatory practices, and joint lobbying on legislative matters. Additionally, the federation plans to promote business partnerships, organize regional industry events, and implement joint marketing plans to enhance the overall image of the Balkan region in the European gambling landscape.
Regulatory dynamics in member countries and the positioning of the federation
Currently, regulatory reforms within the member countries are also progressing simultaneously. Bulgaria has recently tightened its sports betting rules, strictly prohibiting national football team players and staff from participating in gambling, and extending the self-exclusion period to one year. As of March 2025, 54,000 people have joined Bulgaria's self-exclusion program. Croatia is implementing a national gambler self-exclusion scheme, while Montenegro is engaged in ongoing debates about planned tax reforms. These dynamics indicate that regulatory pressure within the region is increasing, making the establishment of the federation timely.
At the meeting in Belgrade, delegates also discussed the relationship between the federation and the European Gambling Association. Some members of the federation are already members of EUROMAT, and the consensus reached at the meeting was to position the BGF as a unique Balkan cluster, maintaining connections with the existing European framework while highlighting its regional characteristics. The next meeting is scheduled for May 26, coinciding with the upcoming Belgrade Future Gambling Exhibition. The organizers expect that the governance structure of the federation will be finalized by the fall of 2026, at which time the first chairman will also be elected.
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