Euromat (The European Gambling & Amusement Federation) has lodged a formal complaint with the European Commission over amendments to Croatia’s Gambling Act, alleging the changes introduce significant technical rules affecting the Croatian market.
The complaint highlights issues like mandatory player identification, venue restrictions and advertising bans.
Euromat contends that Croatia failed to notify the Commission about the amendments and accompanying regulations, which is a legal requirement for Member States when new laws could affect market access or impose technical requirements. The Federation argues the changes create an uneven playing field, disadvantaging certain gambling sector segments.
Croatia’s amended Gambling Act includes strict measures such as a central player self-exclusion register and temporal restrictions on operations. Moreover, Euromat claims that the new law offers exemptions and regulatory privileges that favour certain operators. These regulations, introduced alongside the Act, were not reported to the European Commission, violating EU procedures.
Jason Frost, Euromat President, stated that it is crucial to alert the Commission to potential EU law breaches, saying: “The notification procedure exists to ensure that national measures are compatible with the principles of the Single Market.”
Frost asserts that Croatia’s actions threaten legal certainty for businesses across Europe and urges the Commission to act decisively.
Despite repeated warnings to HUPIS (Croatian Gaming Association) and the European Commission, Croatia proceeded with these amendments without fulfilling its obligations.
Felip Jelavic, Secretary General of HUPIS, accused the Croatian Government of sidelining stakeholders and EU institutions, preventing scrutiny of measures that distort competition. He urged the Commission to assess Euromat’s complaint and intervene promptly.
