The Croatian Association of Gambling Operators (HUPIS) has intensified efforts to combat illegal gambling, targeting both unlicensed operators and the financial services that facilitate them.
The trade body held constructive discussions with major international payment providers, including Revolut, Skrill and Paysafe, to block transactions to unlicensed operators. Further coordination with the Croatian Association of Banks is planned to strengthen oversight and compliance.
In April last year, HUPIS investigated the enforcement of the General Tax Act, which prohibits processing payments for unregistered gambling operators. The findings indicated that many legal obligations were routinely ignored.
Subsequently, HUPIS conducted test transactions with 17 foreign unlicensed operators, using commonly available payment methods, including bank cards, Paysafecard and Revolut. Following the investigation, HUPIS Secretary Filip Jelavić stated to local media: “Bank cards issued in Croatia were successfully used for payments to almost 50% of the tested illegal operators, despite the legal ban. Paysafecard worked in 100% of cases for the nine operators we tested.
“Payments were almost always instant, with no checks or restrictions. Although withdrawals were sometimes hindered, bank transfers and Revolut options remained available, revealing additional gaps in oversight.”
The Croatian Association of Banks maintains that its members comply with all regulations. HUPIS now reports that several foreign operators, although not formally targeting Croatia, have restricted services to Croatian players following discussions with the association.
Operators, including Stake and Gamdom, have implemented effective measures in response. HUPIS is also targeting affiliate websites that promote unlicensed operators and reporting them to authorities.
The stakes are high, as the Croatian state budget reportedly loses around €250m ($294m) annually in unpaid taxes and fees from unlicensed foreign bookmakers. HUPIS pledges to maintain proactive engagement and institutional cooperation to ensure a transparent gambling market in Croatia that protects consumers while supporting fair competition among domestic operators.
Croatia’s recently updated gambling regulations have tightened oversight, raised licence costs, restricted advertising, and significantly reduced the number of physical betting venues
