Serbia moves to block bwin, 888, Betfair

http://www.egamingblog.com/2012/02/serb … bling.html

Serbia Issues List of Blocked Gambling Sites

It was reported yesterday that Internet Service Providers in Serbia have received a letter stating 70 internet address that need to be blocked.

Participation in games of chance from abroad was banned last year and according to the law, which is far from clear, only those with a permit can operate within online gambling.

Aleksandar Vulović, Director of Serbian Gaming Board, reportedly told Blic Newspaper: "We had to prevent access to illegal gambling in order to have a regulated market, players who operate within the law and from which the state can reap benefits. Currently the organization of games of chance via the internet is one of the most profitable industries and it is estimated that the revenue will double by 2013. It is simply wrong and no longer legal, that the state does not collect a penny of the millions circulating within this industry".

A list of the 70 sites has been issued and we think can be found on these two links 1- 38 & 39 - 70.

Some highlights are: Bwin, Mybet, Bet-at-home, 888, Betfair, Skybet, William Hill.

The list has been sent to ISPs who have responded by throwing this hot potato to their legal departments with little comment.

There is a suggestion that ISPs could be prosecuted if they do not fall into line. In fact it will be hard to implement because nowhere in the Law on Games on Chance does it state that providers need to take such measures. Realistically speaking, even if ISPs do block a domain it is technically difficult to avoid access through other domains and furthermore, according to Vojislav Rodic, director of "INet" and a former president of Association of Internet Providers, such rules can only be issued through a court.

This is only the beginning of a process which will be a little tortuous to say the least. Currently the Serbian National Lottery operates a gaming site and, if these blocks are implemented, it will drive a certain amount of traffic and money to their coffers but it is doubtful that it will have such a significant effect. They could also actively work towards issuing licenses for online gambling but in a country of around 8 million one wonders whether this would be worth it for the larger European operators.