Croatia’s parliament on Friday unanimously approved amendments to the Gambling Act, banning the placement of betting terminals in hospitality venues starting January 2026 as part of a broader effort to promote socially responsible gambling.
The revised law, passed with 131 votes in favour, mandates player identification, creates a registry of excluded individuals, and restricts Sunday operations and gambling advertising.
Under the new rules, gambling ads will be banned between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. across the internet, audiovisual and radio programs, electronic publications, print media, and public advertising spaces. Gambling premises will be required to reduce their visibility.
While sponsorship is still permitted, it will be limited to displaying the organiser’s name, logo, and brand. The use of celebrities, influencers, and content creators to promote gambling will also be prohibited.
Operators will be allowed to open on only 16 Sundays per year, aligning with restrictions on retail working hours.
The law also revises tax brackets for winnings. Betting winnings up to €100 will be taxed at 10%, while lottery winnings of the same amount will remain tax-free. Winnings between €100 and €1,500 will face a 10% tax rate, €1,500 to €4,000 at 15%, €4,000 to €70,000 at 20%, and over €70,000 at 30%.
