Currently Bosnia and Herzegovina is a Southeast European state that is considered to have a highly developed political system combined with long history. Till the year 1992 when Yugoslavia was dissolved the concept of gambling especially sports betting in the country has gone through dramatic change. This article gives a general despotic analysis of the gambling laws, legalized and licensing frameworks for bookmakers in Bosnia and Herzegovina or Bosnia and Herzegovina Bookmakers as well as sports betting.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
The Regulatory System of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bosnia and Herzegovina comprises two autonomous administrative entities: Federation of Bosnia and Herzgeois and Republika Srpska. Both entities have their own peculiarities of governmental and legal frameworks, including the rules for gambling operations. Such division is important to comprehend as it determines to a great extent the tendencies in gambling activities in the country.
History of Gambling Laws in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Historical background From 1992 until the modern day, the area was a part of former Yugoslavia and an early Yugoslavian gambling legislations were in use. After the independence, the new laws were set to govern the gambling and, thus, it has a well-organized gambling space more than the countries in the Balkan Peninsula.
Gambling legislation might be comprehensively defined as the regulation of betting, which is the wagering of money on an event that has an uncertainty of outcome, as well as several other/related activities performed for consideration of money. Although there are small variations in the definition of gambling, all countries have it in their legal framework in some form or another due to the fact that it plays an important role in society. Below are some of the key milestones.
- 1992: The legal and regulation of gambling is realized in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- 2011: The Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republika Srpska legalise online gambling. The first license to provide online gambling is granted to Williams, which was a local sports betting firm.
- 2013: An attempt to prevent the access to foreign unlicensed gambling sites is made but it does not last long because of the pressure from the public and legal problems.
- 2019: The Republika Srpska passes the Law on Games of Chance enhanced taxes jump up from 15% to 20%; the price for an online casino license rises to KM 100 000 ($55 709).
Regulatory of Bosnia and Herzegovina Bookmakers
The body responsible for the regulation of gambling activities in Republika Srpska is the Republican Gambling Authority which is under the Ministry of Finance of Republika Srpska. This agency is responsible for:This agency is responsible for:
- Granting and revoking concessions on gambling.
- Realisation of spatial, technical and informational necessities in the structuring of gambling.
- The special markings for casinos, slot machines, clubs, and bookmakers are issued.
- Stake placing and recording slot machines, playing tables, terminals, and amusement machines.
Licensing Requirements and Fees
The legal framework governing gambling in the Bosnia and Herzegovina is issued by the Republican Gambling Authority. To obtain a license, companies must meet several requirements:
- There must be an operational corporate headquarters for the company in the country.
- The founders and owners are required to produce original certificates of good conduct.
The company must demonstrate financial stability, with a minimum authorized capital varying based on the type of gambling:
- Classical Tombola: KM 200,000
- Casino Games: KM 2,000,000
- Electronic Gambling Games: The organizational learning costs of implementing this KM programme is also estimated to be at a maximum of KM 50,000.
- Bookmaking: KM 500,000
- Slot Machines: KM 500,000
- Online Games: KM 1,000,000
One-Time License Fees
- Classical Tombola: KM 50,000
- Electronic Games and Casino Games: And furthermore, in the case of the country’s capital, the monthly per capita income has surpassed that of the initial capital amount or KM 100 000.
- Bookmaking: KM 10,000
- Slot Machines: KM 10,000
- Online Games: KM 200,000
Licenses are issued for 5 years but the license can be renewed for another 5 or 10 years if the company remains compliant.
Player Protection
To ensure that consumers’ payments, and winnings, fees, and other-related obligational responsibilities are secured, all Bosnia and Herzegovina Bookmakers must have a safety deposit with a domestic bank. The amount of the safety deposit depends on the type of gambling:
- Classical Tombola: KM 200,000
- Casino Games: KM 2,000,000
- Electronic Gambling Games: It highlighted that KM 50, 000 was given to the University with the anticipation that it would procure essential amenities for the benefit of the students.
- Bookmaking: KM 500,000
- Slot Machines: KM 500,000
- Online Games: KM 1,000,000
Sports Betting in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Gamling activities especially in the aspect of sporting activities betting is well established in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The sites that offer both online sports betting and brick and mortar sports –betting are legal provided they have a license. Williams, a land based sportsbook operating in Rhode Island received the first online license in 2011.
Prohibited and Allowed Bets
Specific prohibitions and allowances concerning the sort of betting activities that may be performed under the general framework form part of the local regulations. This makes it very important for bookmakers to get familiar with any changes with a view of observing them.
Sporting Event Glory Milestones
Bosnia and Herzegovina have recorded many monumental feats in the field of sports. Here are some milestones:
- 2014: Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team gets to FIFA World Cup for the first time.
- 2015: Amel Tuka takes the third place in the 800 meters race in the World Championship; this athlete becomes the first Bosnian and Herzegovinian athlete who performs well on the international level and wins a medal.
- 2001: A national basketball team gains the FIBA EuroBasket championship.
- 2016: Swin Amel Tuka become the Olympic bronze medalist.
- 2017: ATP Challenger Tour title goes to tennis player Damir Dzumhur.
Conclusion
Thus, Bosnia and Herzegovina do provide a good legal framework concerning gambling, especially when it comes to sport betting. It has various policies and a well-regulated system that allows the authorization of operating firms as well as its players. Hence, being sensitive to changes in this industry will prove beneficial and useful in the future due to its ever-shifting nature.
FAQ: Bosnia and Herzegovina Bookmakers
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