Croatia occupies the south central part of Europe and part of the Balkan Peninsula and is bordered by Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. It attained independence on the 25th of June, 1991 after declaring so from Yugoslavia. Being a country with a long tradition of gambling, it has well-defined rules and guidelines for the gaming business. In this Croatia sports betting guide, you will learn all the basics about sports betting and the betting sites in Croatia that offer the service.
Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
The History of Croatian Laws on Gambling
The first land-based casinos were introduced into the Croatian market in 1964 when the activity was legalized. The online gambling business started much later with the first online casino going live in the year 2010. This change necessitated new rules so that players do not cheat each other and to also protect them.
Major Events in the History of Croatian Gambling Legislation
- 1964: Entry of land based casinos was legalized.
- July 2010: Kazakhstan passes the Ordinance on Interactive Online Casino Gaming thus legalizing online gambling for the individuals above 18 years of age.
Regulatory of Betting sites in Croatia
The Ministry of Finance regulates gambling in Croatia. Some of the duties of the authority include; licensing, regulating, and enforcing laws on operators and their businesses.
Major Roles of the Ministry of Finance
- Issuing gambling licenses.
- Conducting regular inspections.
- Supervising the adherence to the laws on gambling.
Legal and Illegal Betting in Croatia and the Types of Bets to Place
It is vital for both parties to know what is permissible concerning the bets they place. Thus, the majority of types of gambling are allowed; however, there are some prohibited ones.
Permitted Bets
- Sports betting.
- These include; roulette, poker, and blackjack which are typical casino games.
- Lottery games (keno, bingo).
Prohibited Bets
- Betting on political elections.
- Unregulated sports events.
Gambling Licenses and Fees
Below are the steps and fees that are required to get a gambling license in Croatia. To this effect, the operators are expected to adhere to a number of conditions in order to guarantee that their activities are harmless and just.
Licensing Requirements
- Annual Fee: HRK 3,000,000 (approx. $431,648).
- Share Capital: At least HRK 4,000,000, or USD 575,514.
Taxation on Gambling
- Lottery Sales: 5%.
- Betting Turnover: 5%.
- Casino Revenue: 15%.
- Slot Machine Revenue: 25%.
Best Betting sites in Croatia
Some of the betting sites that are accessible to Croatians include; sports betting, and casino games. Here are some of the top options:
Up to £122
Up To £120 + £30 Free Bets
Bet £30 Get £30
Croatia’s Sports Betting Milestones
This paper aims to highlight the events that have created a roadmap on the betting industry in Croatia which is a sports-loving country.
Memorable Sports Events
- 1998 FIFA World Cup: The Croatian national football team comes in the third position.
- 2001 Wimbledon Championships: Hence, Goran Ivanišević gets the title of the champion.
- 2005 Davis Cup: Croatia wins its first tennis title the Davis Cup.
- 2007 World Men’s Handball Championship: Of course the Croatians emerge as the winners in this case.
- 2018 FIFA Ballon d’Or: Luka Modric gets the greatest accolade in the football fraternity.
Success in International Sports
It is quite evident that Croatia is a sporting nation given the great results it has produced in the international arena:
- Football: FIFA World Cup Third Place in 1998 achievement.
- Basketball: Gold medal at the FIBA World Championship 1994.
- Handball: Gold medal at the 2003 world men handball championship.
Gambling Laws of Neighboring Countries
It is not the only country that has such approach towards the regulation of gambling activities. Here’s a brief overview of gambling laws in three neighboring countries:
Slovenia
- Gambling License: This applies to both the land based and online casinos.
- Regulatory Body: Finance of the Republic of Slovenia.
- Taxation: 5% on the gross gaming revenue.
Hungary
- Gambling License: It is compulsory for all operators to adhere to.
- Regulatory Body: HTZA – Hungarian Gaming Board.
- Taxation: This is charged at 20% on the gross gaming revenue.
Serbia
- Gambling License: Required for all the gambling operations.
- Regulatory Body: Games of chance administration.
- Taxation: 10% of the GGR.
Conclusion
Those who are interested in the world of betting can be impressed with the Croatian market – a rapidly developing country with a highly favorable legal framework. Croatia sports betting is well regulated by the law, has a good number of choices for betting, and practices fair play in its operations.
FAQ of Betting Sites in Croatia
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