The European Gaming and Betting Association (Euromat) has urged the Croatian government to suspend the implementation of the newly passed Gambling Law, as it may violate EU law.
Euromat recently expressed concerns to the European Commission, highlighting that Croatia failed to notify the legislation through the required Technical Regulations Information System (TRIS) procedure.
The Croatian law will take effect in eight days, introducing several significant changes that Euromat believes should have been properly notified to the EU, including mandatory identity verification for players entering venues, self-exclusion registration, advertising restrictions, gambling venue location restrictions, operational day limits, and increased licensing fees and taxes.
EU regulations stipulate that member states must notify the Commission of any national regulations that restrict market access or service provision.
Failure to complete the notification process constitutes a violation of EU law and may lead to the suspension of the application of the law, infringement proceedings, and potential fines.
Euromat President Jason Frost commented on the matter, saying: "We understand that the European Commission is in contact with the Croatian government regarding this issue, and I hope that the outcome of this contact will respect EU law.
If member states pick and choose in terms of legal compliance, the European single market will be compromised. Businesses need legal certainty, and we hope the Commission can play its role in ensuring Croatia fulfills its obligations."
Secretary-General of the Croatian Gambling Association, Filip Jerolimov, added: "We welcome the response from the European Commission and remind the Croatian government of the importance of adhering to established EU procedures.
"We believe that legislating within the framework of European law aligns with the interests of all stakeholders, including the Croatian government.
"Legal certainty and predictability are crucial for market stability, and any potential financial consequences arising from procedural flaws will ultimately be borne by businesses and citizens."
