The Balkan Gaming Federation (BGF) has outlined its next steps, as the new trade body sets its sights on combatting the black market gambling and improving the perception of the industry across the region.

Set up in March 2026, the BGF is a regional trade body consisting of six national gaming associations from across the Balkans:  Bosnia and Herzegovina’s UPIS RS, Bulgaria’s AOGGAB, Croatia’s HUPIS, Romania’s ROMSLOT, Montenegro’s GPIS, North Macedonia’s MAK GEJMING, and Serbia’s AGOS.

Upon the launch of the trade body, the group made it clear early on that combating the black market is one of its top priorities.

This morning, the BGF confirmed that an AGOS-organised meeting resulted in the trade body deciding to register itself in Croatia, while Filip Jelevic, Secretary General of HUPIS and a member of the pan-European trade body EUROMAT, was elected Chair of its new working group.

The working group has been tasked with preparing a text aligned with Croatian legislation, which will be voted on in an online meeting of the six members. 

The BGF has also begun engaging with Balkan regulators, scheduling a roundtable meeting with different national authorities to discuss the “regulatory, financial and administrative pressure” faced by Balkan gaming operators, as well as clamping down on the black market.

“The sector is still viewed through outdated perceptions, without sufficient understanding of its economic importance and the role of licensed operators,” said Milos Lalevic, Vice President of GPIS Montenegro, former Deputy Minister of Sports and Culture, and member of Montenegro’s negotiation team for European integration.

“When regulations are adopted without analysis, transparency, and real dialogue with the industry, they do not limit the problem, but weaken the legal market and open more space for the black sector.”

The betting industry’s Balkan battleground

The Balkans’ betting markets have had a lot of change to contend with in recent years, chiefly change around taxes and regulation. This has, at times, seen the industry become a topic of international debate.

In Croatia, the HDZ government announced a sweeping package of regulatory reforms in October last year. HUPIS was quick to criticise the reforms, arguing that the overhaul could jeopardise up to 15,000 jobs.  

The reforms included restrictions on gambling identifications, new ID verification rules, creation of a national self-exclusion scheme, and a tiered taxation model based on player winnings.

Similarly, the Romanian government has been closely examining player protection requirements. The Romania situation aligns closely with the BGF’s statement around industry image, as the country has identified a major problem with underage gambling.

The BGF’s goal of clamping down on the black market is being pursued in Serbia, however. In January 2026, the government allowed domestic licensed operators to offer jackpots, a move designed to incentive players to gamble via regulated platforms.

However, as in the case of Croatia and Montenegro, the industry has been critical of some regulatory efforts. In the latter, the industry had harsh words for the government’s plans around tax and advertising, being joined by national newspapers on the latter topic.

In Croatia’s case, EUROMAT and HUPIS argued that the government had violated the EU”s TRS Directive by failing to notify the European Commission (EC) about the planned regulatory overhaul. The duo called on the EC to intervene.

On the topic of EUROMAT, the BGC has been actively engaging with its continental counterpart, as well as the abovementioned Balkan regulators. The trade body also stated that it is working with leading international companies and independent experts.

The trade body will participate in EUROMAT”s annual Board of Directors meeting on 29 September, hosted by Romania’s ROMSLOT. The following day, 30 September, ROMSLOT will host the election of the BGF’s first President.

Reiterating its goals today, the BGF stated that it aims to bring together regional, European and international expertise, with the aim of fighting illegal gambling, protecting legal businesses, and facilitating effective dialogue between the industry and institutions.