Regulating Gambling Activities in Croatia
Taking a Spin in Croatia's Gambling Scene
Visiting Croatia for a holiday just got more exciting! With its picturesque landscapes and a booming gambling scene, it's the perfect destination for thrill-seekers.
Gambling Hub of The Balkans
Croatia is a gambler's paradise, offering a wide variety of gambling games to keep you entertained throughout your vacation. It's no surprise that multitudes of tourists pick their holiday spot based on the availability of gambling zones.
Gambling Den's Comeback The surge of the gambling business in Croatia was hindered significantly during World War I. With the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the last gambling establishments vanished. Croatia became part of Yugoslavia, but the gambling business never revived. Yet, with World War II in Yugoslavia, everything else took a backseat, except for survival.
Gambling in Yugoslavia
Despite being part of the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia followed a unique policy that contrasted from the Soviet one. Josip Broz Tito, Croatia's political leader, didn't see eye-to-eye with Moscow's politicians. Instead, he built professional relationships with Western political leaders. Tourism was a significant point of contact between the West and Yugoslavia.
Money started flowing into the country, not just money, but foreign currency. In 1963, the Yugoslav government made a bold move: to reopen the network of casinos in Croatia. Opatija, Belgrade, Bled, Zagreb, and PortoroΕΎ led the way in this endeavor.
Casinos in Croatia
In casinos, as in many organizations in the country, self-management was the norm. Brokers, dealers, managers, and even service staff like bartenders had the power to influence the working process and the level of profit in the casino.
Regulating casino clients was straightforward: gambling chips in casinos could only be purchased with foreign currency, and it was forbidden to exchange local currency for foreign currency in the casino. Soviet citizens and minors were strictly prohibited from entering casinos, while foreign tourists were welcome. A diversity of gambling games were available, from legendary roulette to the latest slot machines.
Gambling in Independent Croatia
The turning point in Croatia's development was in 1991, when it achieved independence from Yugoslavia, and the civil war began. Upon gaining independence, Croatia began to establish its own order. It wasn't until 1998 that the organization of the gambling business began. As always, the West, with its appreciation for Croatia's tourism potential, took notice.
Casino Austria's Investment Zagreb became the first city in independent Croatia to see the revival of the gambling business. Two years later, the Croatian government refined the gambling legislation.
Regulating Gambling in Croatia
The state is the monopolist in the gambling field. Commercial organizations must obtain a license to engage in the gambling business. The lottery business is represented solely by the state organization "Croatian Lottery."
Requirements for candidates to obtain a gambling license are rigorous. Stable licenses are issued for up to ten years, and seasonal ones with a maximum duration of six months. There are four types of licenses:
- For casino games.
- For lottery games - bingo and keno.
- For totalizators.
- For gaming machines.
The activities of such organizations are controlled by the Ministry of Finance. Inspectors can conduct frequent inspections and question workers in gambling establishments if necessary.
Taxes obtained from the gambling business, the percentage of which can reach fifty, are directed to sectors like sport, social programs, culture, and charitable causes.
Requirements for Croatian Casinos
Today, almost every resort in Croatia is equipped with a gaming zone. For the convenience of tourists, many casinos are located within hotels. They are always prepared to welcome guests, but they also have requirements for them.
Dress Code and License Conditions:
- Compliance with an informal dress code is mandatory. Beachwear, despite the location in resort areas, is forbidden.
- Each casino must have a guarantee fund of at least thirty percent of its capital.
- The money from the guarantee fund must be kept in a state bank for the duration of the license and for an additional thirty days after its expiration.
- The guarantee fund is used to pay out winnings.
- The daily deposit of a casino must be fifty thousand euros and one hundred fifty thousand kunas.
Size Requirements for Casinos:
- Seasonal casinos must be at least three hundred square meters, while permanent ones must be four hundred.
- The minimum number of tables in the gaming hall is seven.
- For every five tables above the minimum, an additional fifty thousand kunas must be paid daily.
- The capital of a casino cannot be less than four million kunas.
- Each year, the directors of all casinos must pay a fee of five hundred thousand kunas.
- Each casino must also pay two hundred thousand kunas annually into the fund of the Croatian bank as a guarantee.
Requirements for Gaming Clubs with Slot Machines
The capital of a gaming establishment offering slot machine entertainment must be two million kunas.
- Monthly contribution - ten thousand kunas per slot machine.
- A guarantee contribution to the bank of three hundred thousand kunas must also be paid.
- Each gaming club must have a Croatian registration and regularly receive compensation money.
Operating Conditions:
The premises of casinos and gaming clubs must be under video surveillance. The footage from these cameras must show the state of all gaming tables, slot machines, the position of players' hands, and dealers.
Only individuals who have reached eighteen years of age and have been identified may enter a casino. Clients are not allowed to enter a casino in uniform. Naturally, players are not allowed to possess advanced technologies that could increase their chances of winning. The management of the casino reserves the right to ban any player from entering without explanation.
So, if Croatia is already on your travel itinerary, get ready for a vacation loaded with fun, sun, and gambling! The current gambling legislation acts as a guarantee for the normal development of modern gaming businesses. But remember, gambling should always be about fun, not about chasing losses. Play responsibly!
- Croatia, known as a gambler's paradise, offers a vast array of gambling games for visitors seeking excitement, making it an enticing holiday destination for those who indulge in casino-and-gambling.
- After World War I, gambling establishments in Croatia disappeared due to the fall of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. However, in 1963, the Yugoslav government, under the unique policy of President Josip Broz Tito, decided to reopen the network of casinos in Croatia, fostering the gaming industry.
- Today, almost every resort in Croatia is equipped with a gaming zone, catering to tourists and enforcing regulations such as a mandatory dress code, a guarantee fund, size requirements for casinos, and fees for operating gaming clubs with slot machines.
