By early 2026, the Republic of Croatia will have fully implemented the new Gambling Law’s protections and measures.
A mandate to “Combat Addiction to Games of Chance and Betting” has been given to the Croatian parliament, or Sabor, which calls for tougher regulations on gambling establishments, the removal of aggressive advertising, higher gaming taxes, and greater player protections.
The Croatian Institute of Public Health and faculty members from the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation collaborated with the HDZ government to design the mandate.
The planned modifications are politically significant since Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has promised to revise Croatia’s gambling regulations as part of his third term in office, addressing past shortcomings in tackling gambling addiction, a problem that affects 40,000 Croats.
According to the Institute of Public Health, significant action is required to address the epidemic of gambling problems affecting Croatian communities. According to data, 13% of high school students exhibit symptoms of gambling-related damage, and 73% had gambled at least once. It is also estimated that 6% of young adults and 5% of adults have a gambling disorder.
Centralized Controls
By implementing new player safety measures and restrictions on Croatia’s 1,300 betting shops and 6,300 gaming halls, the government will make preventing gambling addiction its top priority.
The establishment of a required player identification system for entry to gaming establishments and internet platforms will be a crucial step. This technology will work as a centralized control system to keep an eye on gaming activities across all online licenses and venues.
By 2026, Croatia will implement a countrywide self-exclusion program, similar to other European countries, to prevent vulnerable customers from participating in gambling activities. It is considered a mandate to build a new self-exclusion program within 190 days.
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Put an end to aggressive advertising
According to the government, one of the main causes of the increase in gambling problems is the widespread use of gambling advertisements.
The government will implement a prohibition on gambling commercials on radio, television, and media platforms between 6 AM and 11 PM, as previously approved by PM Plenković.
Due to the possibility of direct fines or advertising suspension by Croatian authorities, licensed operators’ internet advertising campaigns must make sure that gambling advertisements are never shown to minors in any way.
Celebrities, athletes, and social media influencers promoting goods, services, or endorsements will no longer be permitted in gambling advertisements. In order to move forward with a drastic cutback in the coverage of gambling advertisements, including a prohibition on promotion in print media (magazines and newspapers) and public areas, the government will examine Croatia’s advertising regulations.
The government thinks that restricting the appearance of advertisements linked to gambling will assist prevent gambling from becoming more commonplace and shield vulnerable populations from being persuaded to gamble.
Locations cannot continue to be a source of failure
Tighter regulations on gaming establishments, which are considered a “point of failure” in safeguarding national consumers, are required under the mandate.
To make gambling less accessible, the government plans to outlaw the use of self-service betting machines in cafés, restaurants, and other public places by 2026.
Municipalities in Croatia will be required to inspect gaming enterprises to make sure they are at least 500 meters away from places of worship and education, and that betting shops are situated at least 200 meters away from these locations.
The directive comes after the government’s prior attempts in 2020 to limit the expansion of gambling establishments, which led to fewer casinos and slot machine clubs. However, 50–60% of betting shops are predicted to fail to meet the new location standards when hosting licenses expire in 2025, perhaps leading to closure or relocation.
The New Tax Structure
A more progressive tax system based on winnings and business size will be implemented by the new law, with the money raised going toward addiction and public health initiatives. The following tax rates will take the place of the present tax structure, which has been in effect since 2010:
- 10% for winnings up to €1,500
- 15% for winnings between €1,500 and €4,000
- 20% for winnings between €4,000 and €70,000
- 30% for winnings over €70,000
Additionally, casino operators will pay higher annual license fees:
- Land-based casinos – from €400,000 to €600,000
- Internet casinos – from €265,445 to €398,168
- Land-based betting shops – from €132,722 to €200,000
The prevention and treatment of addiction will receive about 11% of gaming earnings, with the remaining money going toward social and humanitarian endeavors, education, sports, and civil society development.
The government wants a prompt response.
According to preliminary estimates, the new regulations may lead to a 10–15% decrease in the number of gaming establishments nationwide. Additionally, it is anticipated that higher taxes and fees will bring in an extra €50–70 million a year, which will be used to fund social and public health initiatives.
The government will create a “new dedicated regulatory agency” to oversee the conduct and compliance of gambling licenses (both online and land-based) in order to guarantee the successful implementation of the new legislation.
Gambling operators will lose their licenses and be fined millions of dollars if they don’t comply with the new regulations.
The Croatian government anticipates that a more secure and regulated gambling industry would result from these reforms. The government hopes to prevent gambling addiction and shield vulnerable populations from abuse by making gambling less accessible and visible while raising operating costs.
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