Most Popular Bookies in Croatia

Today, Croats can bet at hundreds of international sites and enjoy wider betting markets and superior odds, among other perks. In so doing, they don't have to worry about any legal consequences because the market is already open, thanks to the country's EU membership, as mentioned above. Also, the better part of Croatian enjoys a robust internet connection, allowing the citizens to enjoy a seamless online sports betting experience.

Additionally, every sports bookie in Croatia is accessible on mobile devices, including Android, iOS, and Windows. Hence, it can be said that online betting in the country has gone mobile. This move has seen bookies attract a huge audience, making online betting the country mainstream.

The Future of Betting in Croatia

Looking forward, bettors can expect that the current situation will persist, at least for the foreseeable future. It is also important to realize that trying to block EU-based international bookies would contravene the laws of the union. Of course, many EU members have tried this without success. Hence, punters in Croatia can continue to access renowned online bookmakers from other European countries.

As stated earlier in this guide, betting is a popular pastime in Croatia. Sports bookies in the country allow bettors to wager on the biggest significant international sporting events, local games, and other events such as Oscar winners, Eurovision Song Contest, and elections. Here are the four most popular sports for betting online in Croatia.

Football

Football betting in Croatia is as popular as it is in many other countries across the world. Customers of the best bookmakers in this country can easily place bets on international, regional, and domestic football tournaments and competitions.

Punters can bet on a wide range of markets, including outright winner, half-time winner, number of corners, whether there will be a red card or not, and many more. A thing to note is that many sportsbooks in Croatia offer live betting odds where punters can bet while a match is in progress.

Basketball

Basketball is another sport that gives Croatians the opportunity to bet. While NBA betting focuses mainly on the US market, many European basketball tournaments and leagues enjoy extensive coverage.

Popular basketball markets include match results, race to 20 points, points spread, and game lines. In addition, most basketball betting platforms in Croatia offer far more betting markets and competitive odds to ensure that Croatian punters have the best possible experience.

Handball

With at least 27 million registered athletes in Europe and beyond, handball is undoubtedly one of the most popular sports in betting. And Croats have a special place for this sport. It is a fast-paced game with high scoring.

While any handball event is fun to watch, the sport pulls crowds, especially when national clubs compete for the much-coveted EHF Cup. Croatians can bet on both national and international matches, with final scores, team totals, winning margin, and the highest-scoring half constituting some of the most popular markets.

Croatia is home to many big tournaments and events, covering a wide range of sports. Some of these tournaments and events include;

• Prva HNL (football)
• Druga HNL (football)
• Treća HNL (football)
• Četvrta HNL (football)
• Premijer liga (handball)
• Premijer liga (basketball)
• Croatian First League of Futsal (futsal)
• Croatian Ice Hockey Championship (ice hockey)
• Croatian 1A Volleyball League (volleyball)

Yes, sportsbooks are legal in Croatia. The Croatian National lottery used to enjoy a monopoly on gambling. However, that changed in when the Croatian government passed the ''Zakon o igrama na sreću'' law. Today, the government comprehensively regulates sports betting in Croatia, and local punters can bet at licensed shops and sportsbooks.

Despite this, there are not many Croatian-based betting sites since punters in the country prefer placing wagers at sites based in foreign jurisdictions. These foreign bookmakers usually offer the best odds, more sports, and more line options for betting.

Does the Croatian government prosecute citizens who bet at foreign sites? No. Actually, no law in the country forbids residents from betting at sites based in other jurisdictions. Besides, it should be remembered that Croatia is a member of the EU, so it must play by the union's rules regarding a free market. But there are regulations to be followed. First, the winnings are subject to tax, and no Croatian under 18 is allowed to bet, whether online or offline.

Betting Acts in Croatia

The primary betting law in Croatia is known as the Games of Chance Act No. 8. It was enacted in 2010 and later amended twice, with the final amendment coming in 2015. This last amendment was also approved by the European Commission and the European Commission.

According to the Games of Chance Act of 2015, online sports betting is legal and is regulated by the Ministry of Finance, which is also responsible for issuing gambling licenses to bookmakers who want to offer services in the Croatian market. The validity of gambling licenses lasts for 15 years, after which the operator may renew. The license costs every operator HRK 3,000,000 per year.

Tax on Winnings

The Croatian government collects taxes on winnings. The amount of tax depends on the amount of winnings. Any winnings up to HRK 10,000 attracts a tax of 10%, while a 15% tax is levied on any winnings between 10,000 to HRK 30,000. Players who win between 30,000 to HRK 500,000 pay 20% in taxes.

And finally, all winnings above HRK 500,000 attract a 30% tax. However, punters should understand that winnings from offshore sites are not taxes since Croatian gambling law does not cover such sites.