Serbia Launches SPIS to Improve Gambling Standards

Serbia has officially launched the Association of Organisers of Games of Chance (SPIS), a trade body dedicated to fostering responsibility, transparency, and collaboration within the nation’s gambling sector. The association brings together leading domestic operators with the shared goal of enhancing operational standards, safeguarding players, and improving public perception of the industry.

The launch event took place at Belgrade’s Sava Center, attended by key industry figures, government representatives, and business partners. Nevena Marković was named the inaugural director, outlining SPIS’s mission to ensure that games of chance are not only profitable but also safe and socially responsible.

“Our industry employs thousands of people, contributes to public revenues, and invests in technology. But it is equally important to show society that games of chance can be safe and responsible entertainment,”Marković said. “SPIS was founded to systematically cultivate these values through codes of conduct, education, and active cooperation with the state and civil sector. Our ambition is to be a reliable partner in shaping the future of this industry.”

Collaboration and Social Responsibility

SPIS unites major Serbian operators including Mozzart and MaxBet, providing a platform for collective dialogue with the state and broader society. CEOs Slobodan Prodanović and Savo Bakmaz stressed the importance of mutual cooperation, transparency, and shared responsibility to drive sustainable growth in the market.

“The establishment of SPIS represents a crucial step forward for our market,” Bakmaz said. “For the first time, operators and the state can work side by side through a single forum that prioritizes transparency, accountability, and player protection. SPIS gives us a unified voice to help guide the market responsibly.”

The association also introduced its first Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, “Even One Is Too Many,” focusing on educating teenagers in sports clubs about gambling risks. The program is conducted in partnership with the Special Hospital for Addiction Diseases in Belgrade and supported by medical and online safety experts. Former basketball star Igor Rakočević was appointed SPIS ambassador, highlighting the need for collaboration to create lasting societal impact.

“No institution, company, or individual can achieve change alone. Only when we work together, share responsibility, and pursue the common good can we build lasting values,” Rakočević said.

Regulatory Reforms and Market Growth

Serbia has recently strengthened its regulatory framework. Changes in 2024 and 2025 introduced tighter reporting requirements, financial controls, technical standards, and protections for under-21 players. Compliance checks by the Ministry of Finance ensure operators meet age verification, responsible gambling, and advertising regulations.

The market is also seeing increased foreign investment. Flutter Entertainment acquired a majority stake in MaxBet, while Golden Matrix Group purchased MeridianBet Group. Superbet, backed by €1.3 billion in funding from Blackstone, is expanding its footprint, signaling Serbia’s growing appeal to international operators.

BetBlocker Expands Serbian-Language Support

In related news, BetBlocker has launched a Serbian-language version of its responsible gambling app, making its free, anonymous self-exclusion tool accessible to over 10 million Serbian speakers worldwide. The update aims to provide inclusive support across linguistic barriers and aligns with research showing that 0.5% of Serbian participants meet problem gambling criteria, with sports betting as a primary risk factor.

Source:

“Serbia Establishes “Association of Organisers of Games of Chance”, europeangaming.com, October 23, 2025