Croatia Unveils Ambitious Overhaul of Gambling Laws, Pledges National Strategy to Combat Addiction

In a landmark move, a coalition of Croatian community stakeholders has thrown its full support behind the government’s ambitious plan to overhaul the country’s gambling laws. The sweeping reforms aim to establish a new regulatory regime to govern and tax the gambling industry, marking what many view as a defining shift in how the state approaches gambling and its social impact.

The announcement was made during a press conference hosted by State Secretary Tereza Rogić Lugarić, who stood alongside representatives from the fields of business, media, education, and healthcare to rally broader participation in the legislative effort. The event, held under the theme “Fun in moderation – what you need to know about gambling,” marked the official launch of a far-reaching reform agenda previously authorised by the Sabor (Parliament) in March. This mandate, endorsed by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković — now in his third term — is being positioned as a central pillar of the HDZ government’s political agenda.

The reforms come in response to growing criticism that the government has failed to protect vulnerable populations from gambling-related harm. Currently, an estimated 40,000 Croatians suffer from gambling-related disorders — a figure that increases significantly among younger demographics. Research by the Croatian Institute of Public Health has found that 73% of high school students have gambled at least once, with 13% already showing signs of problematic behaviour.

Plenković’s administration is seeking to reverse this trend through both legislative and cultural interventions. Central to the new legislation, expected to be fully enforced by early 2026, are measures such as mandatory player identification for all gambling activity — both online and in-person — and the creation of a national self-exclusion register to safeguard vulnerable individuals.

Under the new framework, cafes and restaurants will no longer be permitted to host self-service betting terminals. Local municipalities will also be required to review the location of gambling venues, which must now be situated a minimum distance away from schools and religious institutions. The government anticipates that 50% to 60% of current betting shops may either have to relocate or shut down.

Advertising restrictions are equally stringent. Gambling promotions will be banned from TV, radio, and online platforms between 6am and 11pm, and the use of celebrities, athletes, or influencers in marketing campaigns will be outlawed entirely. Print and outdoor advertisements will also face significant limitations, while digital operators will be held accountable for shielding minors from gambling content.

“Technological progress has made gambling just too accessible. These measures are designed to reassert the boundaries of conduct and responsibility of gambling,” said Rogić Lugarić, underscoring the government’s determination to curb harmful practices.

However, the legislative reform is only part of a broader, more holistic initiative. Yesterday’s gathering of stakeholders also marked the beginning of a cooperative push to develop a “National Strategy for the Prevention of Gambling Addiction to 2030.” For the first time, the government is treating gambling harm as a public health issue with social, psychological, and economic dimensions. Developed in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the Croatian Institute of Public Health, and academic experts, the strategy will focus on mental health support, early intervention in schools, media literacy, and international collaboration.

“This is not a public relations exercise,” insisted Marko Babić of Hrvatska Lutrija. “We are part of a European project, alongside the Council of Europe and nine member states, to study youth mental health and reduce high-risk behaviours such as gambling.”

The conversation also delved into broader societal concerns linked to the digital age. Professor Predrag Pale, speaking on behalf of the education sector, expressed concern about the impact of digital overstimulation on children’s attention spans. “Children today have access to everything, but are engaged by nothing,” he warned. “We are still teaching with 20th-century methods, while they are living in a hyper-connected 21st-century reality.”

Coinciding with the social reforms is the introduction of a progressive new tax regime. The current flat tax model, in place since 2010, will be replaced by a tiered system. Winnings under €1,500 will be taxed at 10%, rising to 30% for amounts above €70,000. Licensing fees for land-based casinos will increase to €600,000 annually, up from €400,000, while online operators and betting shops will see similar hikes.

The government expects to generate an additional €50–70 million in annual revenue, with at least 11% earmarked specifically for addiction treatment and prevention programs. The remaining funds will support education, healthcare, and civil society initiatives.

Yet, not all voices are supportive. The Croatian Association of Gambling Operators (HUBPS) and the European trade group EUROMAT have raised alarms over potential job losses, warning that up to 15,000 positions could be at risk and that small operators may be disproportionately affected.

Ozren Kronja, speaking on behalf of Croatian digital publishers, expressed concerns about the broader media impact of the reforms. “While Croatian media are being strangled with restrictions, Big Tech platforms are left to self-regulate,” he argued. “The unintended consequence may be to push gambling adverts further into unlicensed, untraceable channels. We’ve seen this in Italy, where illegal digital casinos proliferated despite stringent laws.”

Despite the criticism, the government appears unwavering. A new regulatory authority will be created to monitor compliance, oversee licensing, and impose penalties. Operators that fail to meet new standards will face fines or lose their licenses. The Ministry of Finance has already trialled automated keyword-detection systems to block access to illegal gambling websites and now plans to force payment providers to halt transactions with unlicensed operators.

By staking its political capital on a comprehensive restructuring of the gambling sector, the HDZ government is making what it calls a “calculated bet” — one aimed at building a fairer, more responsible regulatory framework that addresses the harms of gambling without dismissing its economic contributions.

Observers across the Balkans are watching closely. With neighbouring countries such as Serbia, Montenegro, and Bosnia struggling with similar regulatory and social challenges, Croatia’s legislative trajectory may well set the tone for gambling reform across the region.

By fLEXI tEAM