SlotGambling is deeply woven into everyday life in Serbia. Sports betting, especially on football, and slot machines are hugely popular, betting shops line high streets in almost every town, and the state both regulates and profits from a large, legal industry. Lottery play has a long history, modern private operators are homegrown regional powers, and attitudes are broadly permissive, though concern about addiction and youth exposure is rising sharply.
A short history
Lottery gaming in Serbia has deep roots, with organised lottery activity dating back to the 19th century. The modern State Lottery of Serbia (Državna lutrija Srbije) was established in 2004 to run the national lottery, Loto and similar draws. The sector expanded rapidly in the 2000s and 2010s as private betting shops and slot halls spread. The Games of Chance Administration, operating since 1 March 2019, supervises the whole market, and amendments to the Law on Games of Chance in 2024 (applied from January 2025) tightened licensing, know-your-customer rules and self-exclusion.
Culturally popular games and bets
Football betting is a national pastime among Serbian gamblers, reflecting the country’s football culture, followed by basketball and tennis, sports where Serbia has world-class athletes. Slot machines and electronic gaming are the other pillar, widely available in dedicated halls and betting shops. The State Lottery and Loto draw casual players, while live and online casino tables (roulette, blackjack) and tombola/bingo round out the mix.
| Segment | Typical games |
|---|---|
| Sports betting | Football, basketball, tennis |
| Machines | Slot machines, electronic gaming |
| Lottery | State Lottery, Loto, tombola, bingo |
| Casino | Roulette, blackjack (live and online) |
The betting-shop boom
Serbia has one of the highest densities of betting venues in Europe, with around 2,900 betting shops. The state earns substantial revenue from the sector: in 2024 it collected over EUR 177 million in gambling fees, and total public revenues from gambling (including taxes and VAT) were reported at around EUR 320 million. Homegrown operators such as Mozzart, Maxbet, Meridianbet, AdmiralBet and Soccerbet dominate, competing with the State Lottery for casual play.
Attitudes and social concern
Gambling is broadly accepted and heavily normalised in Serbia, with betting brands prominent in sport and advertising. At the same time, media outlets and NGOs have increasingly described the scale of gambling as a social problem, pointing to addiction risk and youth exposure. In 2025 the industry launched a self-regulatory body, SPIS (the Association of Games of Chance Organisers), to promote responsible-gambling standards, and operators must now tie into a national self-exclusion register.
You must be 18+ to gamble in Serbia. Please gamble responsibly.