Croatia updating gambling laws t422h

Croatia has introduced changes to its gambling laws, including strengthened advertising restrictions and tax increases. Local experts warn increased taxes could drive consolidation and market exits. 6p3n3d

Croatia j3k2r

Earlier this month, the Croatia government released a presentation entitled “Combatting addiction to games of chance and betting”, outlining the planned changes to the nation’s gambling laws and the reasons behind their proposals.

Prime Minister Andrej Plenković has pledged he will tighten the nation’s laws on gambling in order to alleviate growing concerns over gambling addiction in Croatia.

The presentation cites data from the Faculty of Education and Rehabilitation, which suggests 72.9% of high school students have gambled at least once, with 12.9% meeting the criteria for high-risk gambling problems. The planned changes focus heavily on tackling “aggressive” advertising, which the government believes is currently fuelling problem gambling in Croatia.

Government proposals include a ban on advertising between 6am and 11pm on the internet, radio and other channels and prohibiting use of famous people to market gambling. Ads must not be displayed to those under the legal gambling age of 18. Other changes would include the introduction of a self-exclusion scheme and the prohibition of self-service betting terminals (SSBTs) in public venues, such as restaurants and cafes.

This measures are taking in first place to protect minors from underage betting, revealing political pressure has been growing, pushing for stronger regulation of the gambling sector and the second reason is a desire to protect legal companies in Croatia from the black market.

Source: igamingbusiness.com