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Serbia's #2 online bookmaker, backed by Flutter Entertainment since 2023
Visit MaxBet →MaxBet welcome bonus in Romania
Context for Romania: Romania's check runs the opposite way to most people's instinct, and getting it backwards is the common mistake. The ONJN publishes both a blacklist of unlicensed domains and a WHITE LIST of licensed operators - Class I for operators, Class II for suppliers - and only the white list makes play lawful. A site being absent from the blacklist proves nothing: you will probably still be able to reach it, but playing there is unlawful unless it appears on the white list. The blacklist is large and actively enforced - 1,546 domains have been ordered blocked by ISPs, and Polymarket was added on 29 October 2025. Check any operator against the Class I list at onjn.gov.ro before depositing rather than trusting a licence badge or an affiliate page, this one included. The market is also tightening fast: Law 141/2025, in force from 1 August 2025, raised the annual authorisation tax from 21% to 30% of gross gaming revenue and the minimum annual fee from EUR 400,000 to EUR 480,000; operators need a permanent establishment in Romania and, where their servers sit abroad, mirror servers on Romanian soil giving ONJN real-time access. Advertising rules are moving too - celebrity and influencer endorsements are already banned across TV, radio and social media, Bucharest is removing gambling publicity from city-controlled outdoor sites from 1 January 2026, and the regulator's 2026 agenda proposes raising the gambling age from 18 to 21 plus restricting online promotions between 06:00 and midnight.
Here is the current MaxBet welcome offer for players in Romania. Bonus terms change and are set by MaxBet for each market — always confirm the live offer on its own site. See every licensed betting site in Romania →
Pros
- Owned by Flutter Entertainment plc, one of the world's largest publicly-traded gambling groups
- Genuine Serbian gambling licence from the Ministry of Finance Tax Administration
- Nearly three decades of established operating history since 1997
- Serbia's #2 online operator with a large retail network (400+ shops)
- Expanding into Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia
Cons
- Core market currently concentrated in Serbia, with expansion still in early stages
- Bonus terms and product availability vary by market
- Payment method details not fully documented in available sources
- Less global brand recognition than sibling Flutter brands (Paddy Power, Betfair)
Our verdict
MaxBet has operated in Serbia since 1997, built by founder Sasa Marceta into the country's #2 online bookmaker with around 20% market share and over 400 physical betting shops. What really elevates its trust profile is Flutter Entertainment's acquisition in September 2023 — Flutter is one of the largest publicly-traded gambling companies in the world, also owning Paddy Power, Betfair, FanDuel and PokerStars, and that kind of institutional backing is a genuine, verifiable signal of stability. MaxBet operates under a genuine Serbian gambling licence from the Ministry of Finance Tax Administration, and its 2022 acquisition of El Dorado Slot Clubs further expanded its retail footprint. With expansion now underway into Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia, MaxBet is a well-regulated, well-capitalised choice for bettors across the Western Balkans.
How we rated it
Trust & licensing (20%)8.8
Licensed by Serbia's Ministry of Finance Tax Administration, and owned by Flutter Entertainment plc since 2023 — one of the largest publicly-traded gambling groups in the world, owner of Paddy Power, Betfair, FanDuel and PokerStars.
Sportsbook & odds (25%)7.9
Established omni-channel sportsbook combining a large retail network (400+ shops) with online betting, backed by nearly three decades of operating history.
Customer support (10%)7.7
Nearly three decades of established operating history, now backed by Flutter Entertainment's global support infrastructure.
Payments & payouts (20%)7.6
Reliable regulated-market payment processing, reinforced by Flutter Entertainment's global-scale infrastructure.
Mobile & UX (10%)7.6
Omni-channel product combining retail and online, reinforced by the 2022 acquisition of El Dorado Slot Clubs.
Bonuses & value (15%)7.4
Regulated-market welcome offers, competitive within the Serbian and expanding Balkan markets.
Quick facts
| Founded | 1997, in Novi Sad, Serbia, by Sasa Marceta |
| Owner | Flutter Entertainment plc (since September 2023) |
| Licensing | Serbia's Ministry of Finance Tax Administration, gambling department |
| Sports | Omni-channel sportsbook, retail + online |
| Casino | Casino product, reinforced by El Dorado Slot Clubs acquisition (2022) |
| Retail | 400+ physical betting shops, Serbia's #2 operator (~20% online market share) |
| Markets | Serbia (core); expanding into Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia |
| Parent scale | Flutter Entertainment plc — also owns Paddy Power, Betfair, FanDuel, PokerStars |
How we verified this
MaxBet is licensed by Serbia's Ministry of Finance Tax Administration (gambling department) and has been owned by Flutter Entertainment plc, a large publicly-traded gaming group, since September 2023. Its welcome bonus varies by country and currency; confirm the current offer on MaxBet's own local site.
Where MaxBet is licensed
MaxBet appears on the official register in 6 countries. Highlighted countries have a full local review — pick yours for its welcome bonus and licence details.
Europe (6)
About MaxBet
MaxBet is a sportsbook and casino founded in 1997 in Novi Sad, Serbia by Sasa Marceta, and is now Serbia's #2 online bookmaker with roughly 20% market share and over 400 physical betting shops. Since September 2023, MaxBet has been owned by Flutter Entertainment plc, one of the largest publicly-traded gambling companies in the world, also behind Paddy Power, Betfair, FanDuel and PokerStars. MaxBet operates under a genuine Serbian gambling licence from the Ministry of Finance Tax Administration, and expanded its retail footprint further with the 2022 acquisition of El Dorado Slot Clubs. Its footprint is now growing into Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia.
MaxBet FAQ
Is MaxBet safe and legit?
Yes — MaxBet holds a genuine Serbian gambling licence from the Ministry of Finance Tax Administration, and has been owned by Flutter Entertainment plc, one of the world's largest publicly-traded gambling groups, since September 2023.
Who owns MaxBet?
MaxBet is owned by Flutter Entertainment plc, which also owns Paddy Power, Betfair, FanDuel and PokerStars. Flutter acquired MaxBet on 27 September 2023. MaxBet was originally founded by Sasa Marceta in 1997.
Which countries does MaxBet operate in?
MaxBet's core market is Serbia, where it is the #2 online operator, with expansion underway into Bosnia-Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia.
Does MaxBet have physical betting shops?
Yes, MaxBet operates over 400 physical betting shops in Serbia, reinforced by its 2022 acquisition of El Dorado Slot Clubs.
What is the MaxBet welcome bonus?
MaxBet offers a new-customer welcome bonus that varies by market. Always check the current offer on MaxBet's own local site.