The European Gaming and Amusement Federation (EUROMAT) is increasing pressure on the European Commission (EC), demanding intervention in Croatia’s ongoing reform of its gambling legislation.
EUROMAT claims that the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) government has violated the TRIS Directive (EU Law 2015/1535) by failing to notify the Commission of key amendments to the Gambling Act before their adoption.
After unsuccessful consultations with the HDZ, EUROMAT appealed to the EC’s Directorate-General for the Internal Market, requesting that the implementation of the contested measures be suspended until a full review is completed.
Under EU law, member states are required to submit draft technical regulations that may affect the functioning of the Single Market. This allows other countries and stakeholders to assess potential trade barriers or market distortions.
“This is not simply a domestic reform – it directly impacts the operation of cross-border suppliers and service providers,” the federation noted. “Failure to notify such changes breaches EU principles and prevents the industry from contributing to a fair and informed consultation process.”
The reform package adopted by the Croatian Parliament is expected to take full effect in early 2026. The upcoming changes include strict restrictions on gambling advertising, new player identity verification rules, the creation of a national self-exclusion register, and a tiered taxation system on winnings.
Although the government defends the new law as a necessary step to combat gambling addiction, industry representatives argue that the reform process lacked proper consultation and may create uncertainty for licensed operators and EU-based technology providers.
Both the Croatian Association of Gambling Operators (HUBPS) and EUROMAT previously warned that the reforms could put up to 15,000 jobs at risk, particularly among small and medium-sized operators already under pressure from higher licence fees and compliance costs.
Trade bodies have also criticised the near-total ban on gambling advertising, arguing that such restrictions would drive marketing into unregulated digital spaces. They cited Italy’s experience, where strict advertising bans led to the growth of the black market.
EUROMAT further insists that Croatia’s failure to notify the Commission under the TRIS Directive constitutes a violation of EU transparency and competition rules, creating a risk of regulatory fragmentation within the Single Market.
Despite industry warnings, Prime Minister Andrej Plenković maintains that the overhaul of the Gambling Act is one of the key pledges of his third term. He emphasised that the government has a responsibility to protect more than 40,000 Croatians suffering from gambling addiction.
Plenković also cited data showing that 73% of Croatian high school students have already gambled, with 13%exhibiting harmful behaviour. He described the reform as a “moral and social imperative” for his administration.
EUROMAT has officially notified the European Commission’s Directorate-General for the Internal Market (DG GROW), urging it to initiate a TRIS infringement procedure against Croatia and to suspend the implementation of the contested measures until a full review has been conducted.
“Member states have the right to regulate gambling, but they must do so in line with EU law,” EUROMAT stated. “Croatia’s actions set a dangerous precedent if allowed to stand unchallenged.”
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