Balkan Gaming Federation Established as Western Balkans Industry Body

(AsiaGameHub) –   Seven national gaming associations across the Western Balkans have established a unified Balkan Gaming Federation (BGF) to advance regional cooperation within the gaming sector. 

This week, the organizations signed a Memorandum of Cooperation in Belgrade at a meeting hosted by Serbia’s Association of Gaming Operators (AGOS). Bulgaria’s Association of Online Gaming and Gambling Operators (AOGGOB) co-led the initiative.

Enhancing Enforcement Against Illegal Gambling

The agreement aims to unify the voice of the region’s gambling industry by bringing together seven national associations representing operators, suppliers, and tech providers. These associations hail from Serbia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia.

The federation was created as a platform to coordinate policy, compliance, and commercial activities throughout the region without replacing existing national organizations.

In a Monday statement, the federation noted it intends to leverage combined expertise and resources to boost enforcement efforts against illegal gambling. It will also work to combat unfair competition, facilitate the exchange of regulatory best practices, and conduct joint lobbying on legislative issues.

Additionally, it plans to foster business partnerships, organize regional events, and roll out shared marketing initiatives aimed at raising the Western Balkans’ profile within Europe’s gaming sector.

At the Belgrade meeting, attendees presented market analyses and discussed initial contributions. The federation agreed on a provisional brand identity and established internal communication channels to coordinate upcoming initiatives.

The Nations Backing the Federation

Launched by Serbian and Bulgarian industry associations and held in Serbia’s capital, the memorandum aligned with ongoing regulatory reforms across the region. The participating countries have a diverse range of regulated gambling markets. 

Serbia and Romania are recognized for their large online gambling sectors that attract international operators like Bet365, Evoke, and most recently, Superbet via its acquisition of Maxbet.

Croatia and Bulgaria have substantial land-based casino industries alongside expanding online operations. 

Bosnia and Herzegovina has a more fragmented regulatory landscape, a challenge the federation aims to address.

Bulgaria recently tightened sports betting regulations to impose an absolute ban on betting by its national football players and team staff. This follows an increase in the self-exclusion period to one year. As of March 2025, 54,000 individuals had opted into Bulgaria’s self-exclusion programme.

Croatia is currently rolling out a national self-exclusion scheme for gamblers. Meanwhile, Montenegro is facing disputes over planned tax reforms.

Relations with European Entities

A major discussion topic was the federation’s ties with EUROMAT, the leading European amusement and gaming association. Several BGF member bodies already hold memberships with EUROMAT. 

The meeting’s consensus was to position the BGF as a distinct Balkan cluster that maintains connections with existing European frameworks while asserting its own regional identity.

The associations scheduled a follow-up gathering on May 26, coinciding with the Belgrade Future Gaming exhibition.

Organizers expect to finalize the federation’s governance structure and elect its president by autumn 2026.