{"id":11416,"date":"2025-11-10T12:58:43","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T12:58:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sbceurasia.com\/en\/?p=11416"},"modified":"2025-11-10T12:58:47","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T12:58:47","slug":"croatia-launches-self-exclusion-register","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sbceurasia.com\/en\/2025\/11\/10\/croatia-launches-self-exclusion-register\/","title":{"rendered":"Croatia Launches Self-Exclusion Register"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Croatia<\/strong> has begun the first stage of implementing the gambling reforms promised by the HDZ (Croatian Democratic Union) <\/strong>government and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovi\u0107<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Earlier,<\/strong> the Registar Igra\u010da<\/strong> \u2013 Croatia\u2019s new self-exclusion register for gambling \u2013 was launched. It is overseen and managed by the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The government states that the launch marks the beginning of a \u201cnew coordination system\u201d for monitoring gambling-related risks and disorders. The Ministry of Finance <\/strong>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<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first phase of the reforms will begin at the end of 2025, when caf\u00e9s, bars and entertainment venues will cease operating all self-service betting terminals (kladomati).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s identity individually, cross-checking the data with the self-exclusion register.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new rules specify that \u201cgambling venues will be prohibited from promoting gambling outside their premises or acting as informal extensions of gambling networks.\u201d<\/strong> The government views this as a key measure to prevent the normalisation of gambling in Croatian society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

External advertising is strictly prohibited: no signs, branding or promotional materials are allowed outside licensed premises.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The reforms are part of Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovi\u0107\u2019s pledge to bring gambling addiction \u201cunder control\u201d. He has called it a public health crisis affecting more than 40,000 Croatian citizens<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research conducted by the Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) shows that 73% of high-school students have gambled at least once<\/strong>, and 13% already show signs of problem behaviour<\/strong>, with the trend particularly prevalent among young men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTechnological progress has made gambling too accessible and too fast. These reforms are about restoring balance \u2014 ensuring transparency, responsibility and genuine concern for public welfare,\u201d said State Secretary Tereza Rogi\u0107 Lugari\u0107.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From 1 January 2026<\/strong>, Croatia will introduce the full set of HDZ government reforms, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n