Gambling business in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bosnia and Herzegovina is a small state in southeastern Europe, located in the western part of the Balkan Peninsula. It has one of the most complex systems of government, as it consists of two autonomous administrative units: the Republic of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Virtually all forms of toys are allowed in both of these states, including the Internet. Anyone over the age of 18 can play in both land and online casinos. The regulatory body is the Republican Gambling Authority (Republic Gambling Authority), which reports to the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia.

The gambling business in Bosnia and Herzegovina is quite well developed, especially compared to many other countries in the Balkan Peninsula. There are currently two major land-based casinos operating legally in the country: the Casino Coloseum Club in Sarajevo (capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina) and the large casino Banja Luka (capital of the Republic of Serbia). In addition, the Admiral network of gambling clubs is widespread throughout the country, there are two lottery operators (LutrijaBiH - Sarajevo and Glory Leisure Banja Luka - Banja Luka), more than 2500 betting shops and a poker club.

As for online gambling, it is legal in the Republic of Serbia, as well as in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It should be noted that online gambling is much more loyal in the Republic of Serbia. Back in 2011, sports betting company Williams received the first license to operate the Wwin site.

Gambling business laws in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The gambling business in Bosnia and Herzegovina is completely legal and regulated by law.

Current gambling legislation regulates:

• Organizing gambling, their systematization and conditions;
• Preparation and conduct;
• Taxes;
• Control over the fulfillment of obligations in accordance with the law;

The following types of games are allowed in the country:

• Lottery - Lotteries, Express Lotteries, TV Tombola, Lotto, TV Lotto, Classic Bingo, Sports Lottery, Sweepstakes, etc.
• Electronic - Electronic Bingo, etc.
• Special - casino games (Craps, baccarat, blackjack, poker, punto banco, etc.), bets, slot machines and online games.

Competitions are divided into:

• Classic competitions;
• Draws organized using telecommunication systems.
• Any advertising of gambling establishments is prohibited.

Gambling industry regulators in the Respublika Srpska

Gambling in the state is overseen by the Republican Gambling Administration. This administrative body operates under the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Serbia. It was created in accordance with the Law on the Republican Administration.

In accordance with Article 38 of the Law on Gambling, the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan performs administrative and other professional tasks related to:

• Issuing and canceling concessions on gambling, recreational games and games with prizes;
• Identify and implement the spatial, technical and informational requirements required for the organization of gambling;
• Issuance of special markings in casinos, slot machines, clubs, bookmakers and more.
• Issuance of stickers for marking and registration of slot machines, game tables, terminals and entertainment machines;

Terms of obtaining a license in the gambling jurisdiction of the Republic of Serbia

Organizing and conducting gambling can be carried out by legal entities headquartered in the Republic. The founders or responsible persons of the organization should have no criminal offenses other than traffic offenses.

The following is assessed when issuing a license:

• Legal entity business, jobs, past financial performance and creditworthiness;
• Fulfillment of tax and other obligations by legal entities and their owners;
• The volume of organized gaming games in terms of filling the tourist offer.

To obtain a license, a legal entity must have a minimum authorized capital in the amount of:

• Classic raffle - at least 200,000 km;
• Casino Games - Minimum KM 2,000,000;
• Electronic toy - at least 50,000 km;
• Lottery bets - at least 50,000 km.
• Slot machines - at least 500,000 km;
• Online games - at least KM 1,000,000.

If a legal entity requests a license for several types of gambling, it must have the minimum amount of authorized share capital taken in the "regular lottery" article to obtain each license. The legal entity on which the license was issued is obliged to maintain the minimum authorized capital for the entire period of validity of the issued permit.

One-time license fee:

• Classic raffle - 50,000 km;
• Electronic games in casino games - 100 000 km;
• Bookmaker - 10000 km;
• Slot machines - 10,000 KM;
• Online Games - 200,000 km.

This fee must be paid upon receipt of the license and will not be refunded to the organizer unless he / she uses the license. The license is issued by the Republican Gambling Directorate at the request of the organizer. The license is valid for 5 years. After the expiration of the term, the organizer can extend it for another five or 10 years, in accordance with the requirements of the Law on Gambling. An application for a license renewal must be submitted no later than six months before its expiration date.

• The license must contain:
• The name of the company and its location;
• Toy types that can be offered;
• The date when the organizer starts delivering its services
• The duration of the license;
• Provisions on other rights and responsibilities of the organizer;

The license will be revoked if:

• It was issued on the basis of false information;
• The organizer did not start functioning during the period specified in the license;
• Shows false turnover;
• Borrows money from players;
• Does not support the amount of initial capital required by gambling legislation.

The decision to revoke the license is also made by the director of the office. Organizers must have an appropriate computer system that provides data storage for all games and has the ability to connect to a central computer management system.

Taxation

Taxes are paid on winning the lottery. Anyone who makes a profit from gambling is a taxpayer. The tax rate of 15% applies to the amount of profit equal to or greater than 1000 km.

The organizer must submit a record of all amounts of income tax on a monthly basis. The organizer must pay the fee and submit a report on the past month.

Online gambling in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Currently gambling is allowed in the Republic of Serbia as well as in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In 2011, the Government of the Republic of Serbia issued the first license to provide online sports services to the sports operator Wwin. This operator works to date. In addition to betting on sporting events, the online site Wwin offers its users:

• Lotto,
• Texas Hold'em,
• Slots,
• Casinos and virtual games.

Another authorized online site in the Republic of Serbia is PlayRos.com. This is an online poker room that also offers customers casino games and mobile poker using the Connective Games program licensed in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Bosnia and Herzegovina players have more than 189 online casino sites abroad, in Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian. Bets are accepted on the Bosnian Convertible Mark (KM), Euro (EUR) and USD (USD).

The most popular slots in Bosnia and Herzegovina

American and French roulette, blackjack, Texas Hold'em and other types of poker are popular among players in Bosnia and Herzegovina. There is also a great demand for slot machines. However, it is known that Bosnians, Croats and Serbs love to play legendary slot machines, such as:

• Book of Ra;
• Sizzling Hot;
• Lucky Lady's Charm;
• Zeus III;
• Cleopatra;
• Gonzo’s Quest

Prospects for the development of the gambling business in Bosnia and Herzegovina

The gambling business in Bosnia and Herzegovina is legal and well developed. The gaming industry plays an important role in filling the state budget. As well as in attracting additional revenue. There are two large and quite popular land-based casinos, a huge bookmaker and two lottery operators in the country. Every year, these institutions replenish the budget of the country with an impressive amount.

The only problem with the gambling business in Bosnia and Herzegovina is its complex system of government, which is linked to the division of the country into two autonomous parts: the Republic of Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. These two government entities have slightly different views on online gambling. Therefore, there are two online gambling websites operating legally in the Republic of Serbia. Because of this, Bosnian players are forced to play on the sites of foreign operators. To develop the gaming market and generate even more revenue, the government is implementing various reforms in the gaming industry.