Serbia implements new jackpot regulations
The new rules include payout limits and certification requirements for gambling operators that run jackpot games.
Serbia.- New regulations have come into force for gaming in Serbia after the publication of a new rulebook. Confirmed in official gazette, the changes affect operators offering jackpot games both online and offline.
The move implements Article 115b of Serbia’s Law on Games of Chance, providing a dedicated regulatory framework for jackpots. This includes operational, technical and compliance standards for licensed operators, including system certification, approval procedures and statutory payout limits.
Players should not see any material changes, the Ministry of Finance has said. Rather, the new rules affect how how operators organise jackpots, with the goal of ensuring transparency, system integrity, and fiscal accountability.
The new regulations clarify that only licensed gambling operators can run jackpot games. Operators must secure authorisation from Serbia’s Games of Chance Administration before launching a jackpot. Approvals will be granted individually and will be valid for one calendar year.
Operators must reapply every year. For this, they will have to submit a compliance certificate for their jackpot system and a detailed description of their jackpot mechanics.
Prizes must be determined by random number generators (RNGs) that meet laboratory-approved statistical and integrity benchmarks, with manual interference strictly forbidden. Additional safeguards include mandatory encryption of data, secure backup protocols, and real-time data exchange with the Games of Chance Administration, enabling continuous oversight and preventing abuse.
The new rules also introduce limits for jackpot payouts, restricting them to 20 per cent of an operator’s annual net betting base, which is defined as the difference between total wagers and player winnings. This cap will be applied separately across betting, slot machines, and online games offered via electronic channels.
The new measures come in the context of broader reforms initiated by the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) following amendments to the Law on Games of Chance back in 2024. Last year, the government ordered a nationwide checks on gaming venues in Serbia amid concerns over underage gambling. Opposition parties have continued to call for stronger identity checks and protections for younger players.
