Gambling Laws in Croatia

Croatia is one of the more forward-thinking countries in the EU and as such has legalised all forms of gambling. However, there is one activity that residents can only access via a single national company (i.e. under a monopoly).

Which Gambling Activites Are Legal in Croatia?

The country's regulation comes from the Gambling Law 2014 - Zakon o grama na sreću. This defines gambling as "players betting on an outcome decided mainly by chance with the hope of gaining money, goods, services or rights".

Gambling activities are split into four groups: lotteries (including bingo), instant win games (including casino games), sports betting, and slots and poker machines. Operators wishing to offer these services must obtain a licence from the Ministry of Finance.

Playing at Land-Based and Online Casinos

Land-based casino gaming is legal in Croatia but can only be offered by licensed operators. Around 20 venues currently operate, with another 100 slot halls open nationwide.

Online casino gambling is legal but with strict requirements. Those interested in serving residents must currently operate a land-based casino or slot hall in the country to be eligible to apply for a license. Despite this, there's a decent volume of online casinos in Croatia which offer slots, RNG tables, live dealer games and more.

Gambling on Poker

In Croatia, poker is considered a game of chance, not skill, and operators are therefore required to obtain a licence. Poker is legal and popular, with various live tournaments throughout the year at venues scattered throughout the country.

Similarly, online poker is also legal and operators wishing to offer services must hold a valid licence.

Real Money Bingo

Bingo is legal and classed as a lottery game. It's therefore under monopoly by the country's national lotto company, Hrvatska lutrija. The company runs all of the TV and online bingo gambling, with the occasional event also running at casinos or slot halls.

Churches and charities also run bingo events, which are deemed outside the usual gambling regulations due to their non-profit nature.

Lottery Tickets, Keno and Scratchcards

Gambling on the lotto is legal and the national lottery company, Hrvatska lutrija has a total monopoly on this. Residents can buy various lottery, keno and bingo tickets as well as bet on sports at physical vendors. No other operator is permitted to sell tickets in Croatia. Residents can also legally play online lottery games for real money via the Hrvatska lutrija website.

Gambling Socially and Online Crypto Casinos

Although Bitcoin has been legal in Croatia since 2013, none of the country's casinos accept digital currency as a payment method. There are no online Bitcoin casinos either. Those wishing to play games with cryptos have various options on foreign sites. The law in Croatia does state that this is illegal, but players tend not to be prosecuted.

Social gambling at free online casinos isn't regulated under current gambling laws, and the situation is the same for loot boxes and skins gambling. Fantasy sports betting isn't mentioned in the country's regulations either.

Is It Legal to Place Sports Bets in Croatia?

Yes, though until recently, sports betting in Croatia was the sole domain of the national lottery company, Hrvatska lutrija. Due to regulation changes, larger companies can now offer their services under licence, as long as they run a land-based operation. This has enabled some of the biggest online casinos with sportsbooks to operate in the country. Giving residents optimal choice.

Croatian Gambling Age Restrictions

The legal gambling age in Croatia is 18, this stands for all activities whether online or in-person at a venue.

Gambling Tax Regulations in Croatia

Online and offline licensed operators are subject to taxes based on their gambling activities. These range from 5% on lottery ticket sales and betting turnover to 25% on slot income, with casinos charged 15% of their total revenue.

Players in Croatia are also subject to taxes on their winnings. 10% is due on anything under €1,300, 15% is for €1,300 - €4,000, between €4,000 and €65,000 incurs a 20% rate, and winnings of €65,000+ are charged at 30%.

History of Croatian Gambling Laws

Croatian regulations have their roots in the 1960s when the country declared it would open up to allow for more controlled gambling. The country gained its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991, so it was from that point that regulated gambling came into a meaningful effect.

Initial laws were somewhat unclear, so the Zakon o grama na sreću gambling law of 2014 was passed to clarify the situation. Since then, Croatia has opened its market to allow foreign online gambling sites to offer services under licence. Although operators must have a land-based presence to apply.

Key Facts

• Casino gambling is legal in Croatia. Operators must obtain a licence, with online platforms required to have a land-based presence, too.

• Lotto and bingo gaming are legal. Lottery and bingo games are under the monopoly of Hrvatska Lutrija, the country's national lottery.

• Sports betting is legal in Croatia. Hrvatska Lutrija offers this both offline and online, with a few large sportsbooks also offering opportunities in the country under licence.