Online gambling in the Balkans: Serbia, Croatia, Albania

Online gambling in the Balkans: Serbia, Croatia, Albania (full text)

1) The picture of the region - briefly

All three countries are national licenses and hard KYC/AML verification.

Course on self-exclusion and early intervention (registries/mandatory player contact).

Payment and domain locks against unlicensed ones. com operators are getting stronger.

Taxation is predominantly built around GGR from operators and/or tax on winnings from players (variable by country).

2) Serbia

Slider and frame. The supervision is conducted by the Games of Chance Administration (Ministry of Finance). The basic law is Law on Games of Chance (version 2020) with major amendments adopted in November 2024 (in force from January 6, 2025): more requirements for advertising, strengthening RG tools, an increase in fees/fines. Online casinos (slots/tables), online betting, etc. are allowed; lottery segment - in the public sector.

Self-control and advertising. Self-exclusion, distances from schools for betting points, warnings in advertising and restriction of "aggressive" practices are designed. Increased checks and sanctions for participation in offshore games.

Taxes and fees. For online products, there is a single rate ~ 15% of GGR (after reforms; previously rates differed by vertical). For players, a tax is provided on large winnings above the threshold - in the form of deductions acting according to the general rules of personal income tax (in practice, 20% above the ~ of €850 equiv., Specified by current thresholds).

What does this mean in practice. Serbia is an open but "procedural" market: we need a local company, technical certification, strict reporting and a conservative advertising policy.

3) Croatia

Regulator and reform course. The market is regulated by the Ministry of Finance (Games of Chance Act). In 2025, a large-scale restart of regulation was confirmed with the introduction of key measures by the beginning of 2026: centralized identification of players (online/offline), a national register of self-exclusion, advertising restrictions (ban 06: 00-23: 00; without celebrity), prohibition of self-service terminals in public places, zonal restrictions for ground points.

Licensing and online. Online casinos and betting are allowed under Croatian license; historically, online casinos are closely aligned with land-based activities/local presence.

Taxes. Operator base - GGR (for example, online bets - ~ 20% GGR, casino - ~ 15% GGR according to the current system), plus fees/duties. In parallel, a progressive tax is introduced on player winnings (10/15/20/30% by range, full launch - with package 2025-2026). License fees are increased (including online casinos).

What does this mean in practice. Croatia goes to the "Scandinavian" standard of protection: a single ID, a register of self-exclusion, tough advertising. For operators - OPEX growth (compliance/fees), unit economy recalculation; for players, more control and transparency.

4) Albania

Big U-turn 2024. After "tough" years, Albania legalized online betting: Law No. 18/2024 (adopted on February 15, 2024, entered into force on March 27, 2024). Online casinos are still not allowed; only online sports betting is allowed.

Licenses and criteria. Up to 10 licenses are introduced for a period of 10 years, competitive selection, strict input requirements (capital, revenue, experience in ≥3 EU/OECD countries for ≥3 years), non-cash payments only through financial organizations, complete user identification and data storage. Decisions are made by the Gaming Authority.

Self-monitoring and enforcement. The law strengthens KYC/AML, introduces mandatory player protection programs and playground/app monitoring; ISP/PSP blocking against unlicensed sites.

Taxes. Rates and license fees are established by by-laws/terms of the competition; the base tax falls on the operator (the player pays tax only in certain cases according to the tax). Details - in the documentation for the competition and acts of the Ministry of Finance.

5) Comparison - what to look at the operator and player

6) Start-up checklist (operator)

1. Legal model. Local legal entity/representative office, bank guarantees, RG/AML policies, audit plans. In Albania - readiness for competition (capital/revenue/experience).

2. Technical circuit. Platform/game certification, event logs, KYC + ID streams, "early intervention" triggers, registry integration (Croatia - centralized ID/self-exclusion by 2026).

3. Marketing compliance. "Age-gating," prohibition of aggressive mechanics, display windows, control of affiliates/creatives.

4. Finmodel. Recalculate RTP/margin/bonuses for GGR taxes (SRB/HR), take into account the progression of winnings in HR and the increase in fees/penalties.

7) Memo to player

Play only with licensed local operators - this is how limits, self-exclusion and payment protection work.

Set up limits (deposit/loss/time) and use timeouts/self-exclusion.

Remember about taxes on winnings: in Croatia - a progression of 10-30%; in Serbia - deductions over the threshold; in Albania - rules vary by product and status. Before withdrawing large amounts, clarify the current norms.

Balkans go to a single denominator of protection: identification, self-exclusion and advertising control.

Serbia is an open market with a single ~ of 15% GGR online and increased RG/advertising rules.

Croatia - systemic reform by 2026: centralized ID, register of self-exclusion, tough advertising and progressive tax on winnings.

Albania - online rates for 10 licenses, strict criteria and full "non-cash"; online casinos remain out of bounds.

For the operator, this is about compliance and a subtle calculation of the economy; for the player - about legal access, transparency and real "stop buttons."