Croatia has begun the first stage of implementing the gambling reforms promised by the HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union) government and Prime Minister Andrej Plenković.
Earlier, the Registar Igrača – Croatia’s new self-exclusion register for gambling – was launched. It is overseen and managed by the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ).
The government states that the launch marks the beginning of a “new coordination system” for monitoring gambling-related risks and disorders. The Ministry of Finance has been tasked with implementing the self-exclusion system across all gambling licences, and all operators are required to join it by 1 January 2026.
The first phase of the reforms will begin at the end of 2025, when cafés, bars and entertainment venues will cease operating all self-service betting terminals (kladomati).
All gambling venues – including arcades, betting shops and casinos – must introduce electronic player identification systems to update customer databases. This must be done in coordination with local authorities and the Ministry of Finance. Operators will verify each customer’s identity individually, cross-checking the data with the self-exclusion register.
The new rules specify that “gambling venues will be prohibited from promoting gambling outside their premises or acting as informal extensions of gambling networks.” The government views this as a key measure to prevent the normalisation of gambling in Croatian society.
External advertising is strictly prohibited: no signs, branding or promotional materials are allowed outside licensed premises.
The reforms are part of Prime Minister Andrej Plenković’s pledge to bring gambling addiction “under control”. He has called it a public health crisis affecting more than 40,000 Croatian citizens.
Research conducted by the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) shows that 73% of high-school students have gambled at least once, and 13% already show signs of problem behaviour, with the trend particularly prevalent among young men.
“Technological progress has made gambling too accessible and too fast. These reforms are about restoring balance — ensuring transparency, responsibility and genuine concern for public welfare,” said State Secretary Tereza Rogić Lugarić.
From 1 January 2026, Croatia will introduce the full set of HDZ government reforms, including:
- a nationwide “advertising curfew” – banning gambling advertising from 06:00 to 23:00;
- a new tax system with a progressive tax on player winnings;
- increased annual licensing fees for operators.
The reforms are moving forward despite resistance from industry stakeholders and a possible legal challenge at EU level. The Croatian Association of Gambling Operators (HUBPS) warns that the measures could jeopardise 14,000 to 15,000 jobs and will disproportionately affect small, local operators.
Meanwhile, EUROMAT is urging the European Commission to intervene, arguing that the government failed to notify Brussels of key amendments to the Gambling Act before they came into force. According to the challengers, under EU law, member states must submit draft regulations that could affect the single market, allowing other countries and stakeholders to assess potential trade barriers or market distortions.
The launch of Registar Igrača and the start of the reform’s first stage position Croatia as the first Balkan country to integrate public-health oversight, financial control and regulatory measures into a unified gambling management system.
In a supporting statement, the Ministry of Finance outlined the reform’s long-term objectives:
“The 2025 reforms represent a new phase of socially responsible regulation. They protect players, reduce exposure to gambling, and bring the sector in line with European standards of accountability.
“By 2026, all gambling licences will be fully integrated into a comprehensive national regulatory framework, enabling the state to better monitor, tax, and regulate gambling in the interest of public health and fiscal transparency.”
Don’t forget to subscribe to our Telegram channel!
