Balkan Gaming Federation Elects Dragan Skrbic as First President to Coordinate Industry Positions

The Balkan Gaming Federation has elected its first leadership team following a conference in Bucharest. As reported by iGaming Business, Dragan Skrbic, president of the Serbian gambling association AGOS, took the role of president on 30 September. Filip Jelavić, secretary general of Croatia’s HUPIS, and Sorin Georgescu, president of Romania’s ROMSLOT and vice president of FEDBET, were named vice presidents.

The team assumes responsibility for the federation’s initial campaigns backing the legal gambling industry in the Balkans. These efforts include deeper ties with the land-based trade association EUROMAT, which participated in the two-day event. Founded in Serbia in March, the BGF intends to function as a regional cluster inside the wider EU-wide association.

Collective Voice for Balkan Markets

The federation unites seven trade associations from Serbia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Romania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and North Macedonia. It maintains its seat in Croatia and has already released joint positions on regulatory changes in Romania, Montenegro, and North Macedonia. Pressure on the legal sector has intensified across these jurisdictions, including tightened advertising rules in Bulgaria and shifts in gambling authorisations in Romania.

Filip Jelavić noted that the black market challenge is “evolving rapidly,” partly due to over-zealous regulation. “The relationship between regulation and illegal gambling cannot be ignored,” he told iGaming Business in July. “Experience across Europe increasingly shows that overregulation, particularly when not supported by evidence or impact assessments, can unintentionally drive consumers towards the black market.”

Outlook for 2027 Priorities

The leadership will present its 2027 priorities at the New Horizons Gaming Industry Gala Dinner in Sofia on 24 November, marking its first public outing with member associations. A roundtable the next day will address shared business interests, regulatory hurdles, joint initiatives, and protection of the legal sector. The BGF is additionally preparing a rotating regional B2B forum with exhibition components across Bulgaria, Romania, and Serbia.

Jelavić stated that success after the first year would mean recognition “as a serious regional partner, actively engaged in the fight against illegal gambling and capable of bringing together operators, suppliers and industry stakeholders around common goals.” This initial structure offers a direct channel between Balkan specifics and European-level discussions.

Reporting: iGaming Business (iGB)

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