A growing number of underage individuals in Serbia are engaging in gambling, raising alarm among health professionals and educators who describe it as a modern public health issue. Serbia ranks among the highest in Europe for the number of betting shop locations per capita, and the rapid expansion of both physical and online betting options has made gambling highly accessible — even to teenagers.
Psychiatrists working with people affected by gambling addiction report that many who seek help say they first started gambling as minors, often before finishing school.
In some cases, young people enter betting shops without rigorous age checks, and online platforms can be even easier to access by using credentials of adults, undermining legal safeguards intended to prevent underage participation.
Experts also highlight that promotional tactics such as bonuses and advertising tied to sports can normalize gambling behavior and draw in younger demographics. Although national law requires age verification and responsible practices by operators, critics argue that enforcement is weak and that stronger measures are needed to protect vulnerable groups.
