EUROMAT files EU complaint against Croatia over unnotified Gambling Act changes

The European Gambling and Amusement Federation (EUROMAT) has formally lodged a complaint with the European Commission, alleging that Croatia violated EU law by failing to notify Brussels of significant changes to its Gambling Act and related regulations, as required under Directive (EU) 2015/1535 — commonly known as the TRIS Directive.

The amended law introduces strict new rules for Croatia’s gambling market, including mandatory player identification, limits on venue locations and layouts, a total ban on online and social media advertising, time restrictions on operations, and a central self-exclusion register. It also grants certain operators exemptions and privileges, creating what EUROMAT calls “an uneven playing field.”

Four additional implementing regulations were adopted after the law’s passage, each containing detailed technical requirements. None were submitted to the European Commission for prior review, EUROMAT argues, despite the EU’s legal requirement that all such measures affecting market access or services be notified.

EUROMAT, along with the Croatian Gaming Association (HUPIS) and the Commission itself, had previously warned the Croatian government about the need for notification. Despite these warnings, Croatia proceeded with the amendments, prompting EUROMAT to take formal action.

"This complaint marks an important first step in the EU's legal process. Complaints such as that filed by EUROMAT are a key tool to alert the Commission to potential breaches of EU law,” said EUROMAT President Jason Frost. “Based on EUROMAT's complaint, the European Commission will be able to assess the evidence and decide on the next steps, including whether to open infringement proceedings against Croatia.”

Frost underlined that the notification procedure is designed to ensure that national laws remain consistent with the principles of the Single Market. By bypassing this obligation, Croatia has not only violated EU law but also jeopardized legal certainty for businesses across Europe, Frost added. He further stressed that the commission must act firmly to safeguard the integrity of the internal market.

Filip Jelavić, Secretary General of the Croatian Gaming Association (HUPIS), said the government “deliberately sidelined both stakeholders and EU institutions.” 

“By failing to notify, it has prevented scrutiny of measures that fundamentally distort competition and harm different segments of the gaming sector,” he said. “We urge the Commission to carefully assess EUROMAT's complaint and intervene without delay to ensure that the rule of law and fair market conditions are upheld."