The European Commission has approved draft regulations to legalize online gaming in Croatia in a more or less open-market environment.
Following the OK from the commission, the legislation will now be introduced to the Croatian parliament, and if approved will enable the country’s citizens register and play with online sites of their choice, unlike larger market such as Italy’s and France’s, which limit participation to specific sites.
Operators will, however, have to obtain licensing prior to offering their services and must comply with taxation requirements, which are expected to include a 5 percent levy on monthly revenues and a tiered levy on player winnings that starts at 10 percent of amounts above 750 Croatian kuna (approximately US$120).
Operators also will have to pay an initial licensing fee of $490,000 and maintain bank deposits in the country of no less than that amount.
