Online Gambling Regulations, Laws and Taxes in Croatia

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Deni

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Expertise: Casino Content Writing, Journalism & (PR), Gambling Regulations, Dutch & German Gambling Markets

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Published: July 23, 2020
Updated: April 1, 2026

Online gambling is one of the hottest topics, especially among government officials in various countries. While some have had the luxury of years of developing and altering their laws and legislation, others have not been so lucky.

Croatia is one of the countries that have had the least amount of time to form their gambling laws and legislation as well as structure when it comes to the regulation of these activities.

For players situated in the country it can be a mission to figure out what exactly is going on, and with so many online casinos popping up daily the best way to go is to find all the relevant information before taking part in the activity.

In this guide, we take a quick look at the history, laws and current news of the gambling laws and regulations within the country to help players find their feet and establish whether or not they can safely partake in any online gambling activities.

The history and laws of gambling in Croatia

Croatia gained its independence in 1991, and because of this, it has had less time than most countries to form laws on gambling. Slowly but surely, it has managed to catch up and is on the right track, and gambling has quickly become a favourite activity for many citizens of the country.

Interesting fact: Croatia was one of the first countries in the Eastern Bloc to legalise and regulate gambling in the ’60s. After it gained independence, the gambling industry saw massive growth, especially among tourists visiting the country. It is for this very reason that you’ll find extremely large casino hotels located in the coastal areas of the country.

Sports Betting in Croatia

Sports betting was one of the first gambling activities legalised after the country gained independence. The first two private companies to take advantage of the opportunity to open a shop were Sport Tip and Prva Sportska Kladionica. Unsurprisingly, they are now the leaders in the country’s bookmaking industry. Both land-based and online gambling are legal in the country, but there are various restrictions on the activity.

Gambling law in Croatia

In 2014, the "Zakon o Igrama Na Srecu" gambling law was implemented. According to this piece of gambling legislation, online gambling operators are allowed to apply for an online gambling licence within the country. Only with an online gambling licence provided by the state will they be legally allowed to offer their games to players in the country. T

he law has been met with a lot of protest from operators, as they are forced to pay an HRK 3 000 000 fee, which roughly translates to $500,000. Most operators were upset with this unreasonably high cost of acquiring a licence within the country.

Online gambling in Croatia

Online casino gambling is offered only by the state-run Hrvatska Lutrija and Prva Sportska Kladionica. Players can enjoy

Lottery games
Sports betting
Horse and dog races
Keno
Bingo games

To grow their online gaming portfolio, Hrvatska Lutrija has recently partnered with Microgaming and Intralot Interactive.

Poker laws in Croatia

Where Poker was formerly only allowed to be enjoyed in land-based casinos, it can now also be enjoyed online. However, anyone wishing to launch an online poker site has to apply for a special licence from the Minister of Finance.

Foreign operators in Croatia

While the new laws have opened the market up to foreign operators, the cost associated with it is quite high. In many instances, operators have chosen to rather leave the market or offer their services without first obtaining a licence.

Unlike with France, the unlicensed operators aren’t as closely watched, which gives them “free rein” over players. Sites have not been blocked, but seeing that Croatia falls a little behind on legislation surrounding online gambling, this could very soon become something of the past.

Are online gambling winnings taxable in Croatia?

Croatian online gambling winnings are subject to taxation, and the rates depend on the size of the prize. Whether you’re betting on sports, playing online poker, or spinning slots at a Croatian online casino, the government applies a tiered tax system to all winnings.

Gambling online is one of the best ways to entertain yourself without having to leave the house or interact with others if you’re not in the mood. One of the most important factors to take into account before you start spending your hard-earned money online is the taxation situation. It wouldn’t be fun to hit a massive jackpot win only to find out the government takes massive tax cuts from it. In the following lines, we will take a closer look. Stay with us!

Croatia gambling winnings tax rates as of 2026:

Under €1,500 – 10% tax
€1,500 to €4,000 – 15% tax
€4,000 to €70,000 – 20% tax
€70,000 or more – 30% tax
A key point for players: taxes are deducted at the source. This means the amount you receive is already net of taxes, so you won’t need to file an additional gambling tax payment yourself.

Please note that these conversions are approximate and based on the exchange rate at the time of the currency changeover. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it's recommended to consult official Croatian government sources or financial institutions.

There is a slight light at the end of the tunnel: the tax is collected at the source, meaning the winning total players receive will be “tax-free,” as the necessary tax has already been deducted.

Is online gambling legal in Croatia?

Online gambling has been legal in Croatia since 2014 for all players above 18. Unfortunately, with the heavy costs placed on operators, there are very few legal online casinos available to choose from.

Croatia is enforcing stricter gambling laws from 2026, though the biggest changes apply to land-based establishments. The new rules focus on mandatory educational and responsible gambling initiatives, tax increase, gambling advertising restrictions, and, most importantly, player protection. As of 2026, Croatia has introduced a centralised identification system for players and a new national self-exclusion registry.

Playing on international casino sites

At the current moment, it is not illegal for players to seek gambling entertainment on foreign sites that have not yet been legalised. There are also plenty of sites licensed in other jurisdictions that allow players from Croatia to access their games. As mentioned, as a player, you will not be hunted down or punished for playing on these sites just yet.

CasinoWow's advice on safe options for Croatian players

Before you hurry to sign up at the first online casino you see, we’d suggest you take a look at the top-rated online casinos we’ve listed. These casinos are licensed in other jurisdictions and offer a safe, secure and responsible online gambling experience to Croatians.

Apart from being safe and secure these online casinos also offer the best and top casino bonuses and rewards, top-notch customer service, as well as a wide variety of online games to choose from.