An In-Depth Guide to the Best Online Casinos in Croatia
Gambling has been popular in Croatia since the 1990s and ever since the industry has blossomed and is becoming increasingly popular with each passing year. Here we take a closer look at the gambling laws in Croatia, what it takes to get a gambling licence and what bonuses you can look forward to at online casinos. So, keep reading to find out everything you need to know about the best online casinos in Croatia!
Playing at an online casino even when you know you can’t afford to lose what you spend.
Everything You Need to Know About the History of Gambling in Croatia
The history of gambling in Croatia doesn’t reach that far back and until 1991, only casinos that held licences from the government were allowed to operate. Even then, the rules were very precise and the few types of betting that were allowed were only permitted to take place in designated shops.
These rules were only eased in 2009 when the Games of Chance Act came into play. This marked the beginning of land-based casinos in Croatia and today there are around 20 casinos to be enjoyed.
Although it may have seemed like quite a breakthrough for Croatian gamblers at first, the same year the Act was introduced it was announced that players would need to pay 20% VAT on whatever profit they made from gambling.
As a result, smaller companies ceased to exist. Today, bingo and lotteries are amongst the more popular ways for players to wager and win, with the revenue earned from gambling being estimated at an impressive €370+ Million just a few years back in 2016.
Today, gambling is extremely popular in Croatia and if you’re 18 or older, you’ll have no issue enjoying any of the 20 registered casinos that are land-based. Online gambling is also permitted which is why you’ll find that many online casinos welcome Croatian players with open arms.
Gambling Authority & Licensing
Gambling Authority and Licence in Croatia
When it comes to getting a gambling licence in Croatia, it all starts with an application. However, it’s not as simple as just filling out a form and sending it in. Before you even think of starting up your own casino, you’ll need to make sure that you have a bank guarantee of 3 million HRK (Croatian Kuna) which will be used to pay out any big wins and at least 4 million HRK of share capital. All electronic entertainment must use Random Number Generators certified by a regulator and when it comes to Return to Player Percentage (RTP), lotteries must offer prizes that are equal to at least 50% of the total sale price of tickets. And the winnings from slot machines must be a minimum of 80% of the participation fee. Below you’ll find the licences issued by the Ministry of Finance.
Lotteries
After the player purchases a ticket, a draw takes place in which random numbers, signs or symbols are guessed. Those with matching combinations win. These games can include bingo, lotto, keno, joker, classic lotteries.
Express/Instant/Electronic Lottery
There is a predetermined result that will not be revealed to the player until after they’ve joined the draw.
Sports Betting and Casual Betting
Events where players place various bets on sports events before/during the match/game.
Slot Machines
Machines that allow players to spin reels and win money by landing on certain symbols/combinations of symbols.
Online Casinos
A site that allows people to play games against the casino itself or other players, such as roulette and craps, in tournaments. Players do not know how many other people are participating in the tournament or the winning amounts.
Popular Online Casino Games in Croatia
Croatian Casino Games That are Increasing in Popularity Each Year
According to the Dubrovnik Times, there are two main games that are amongst the most popular casino favourites in Croatia. Interestingly, the games blackjack and roulette have been around a lot longer than you may think, with blackjack dating as far back as the 1700s. Here we explore a little more about the history of these two popular games to get a better idea of how they started.
Croatian Players Love to Beat the Dealer in Blackjack
Although nobody truly knows where one of Croatia’s most popular casino games, blackjack, originated, it’s believed to have been invented by the French in 1700 and was enjoyed at many casinos. It’s said that Romans would also play the game using wooden blocks that had numbers painted on them.
French cards that were known as Vingt-et-Un, which means Twenty-one in English, probably came from popular card games Chemin de Fer. These games were enjoyed by the French Royal Court during the reign of King Louis XV and thanks to French colonists, the game hit American soil in the 18th century.
As the years went on more and more people started playing this exciting game and the hype slowly spread throughout the rest of the world and is known today as one of the most popular games at both online and land-based casinos. Below we’ve listed a few interesting facts about this exciting Croatian favourite.
Blackjack is one of the oldest games in existence
The first mention of blackjack in a book was written by Miguel de Cervantes in a collection of short stories
The card dispenser at many land-based blackjack tables is called a “shoe” because the first versions of the device looked like a high heel shoe.
If you make it to the Blackjack Hall of Fame at San Diego’s Barona Casino, you’ll be given free food, rooms and drinks for the rest of your life if you agree to never play at the casino’s tables again.
The Invention of Croatia’s Much-Loved Roulette Game
French physicist and mathematician Blaise Pascal invented the roulette wheel by complete accident. Thanks to his attempt at creating a perpetual motion machine, players in Croatia can enjoy hours of roulette entertainment! From when it started being used as part of a casino game, the number 0 held no place on the wheel until Francois and Lois Blanc created a roulette wheel that included the number for King Charles III of Monaco.
When the king’s kingdom began struggling financially, he built a casino that allowed the general public to enjoy the exciting game. This ended up generating a lot of money for Monaco. In the 1800s the popularity of the game spread to America and another 0 was added to the wheel as a way to give the house a bigger edge. Interesting facts about roulette can be found below.
The ball and the wheel spin in opposite directions
There are three different types of roulette wheels
All numbers on the wheel add up to 666
The most expensive roulette wheel is made of 14 kilograms of gold and silver and costs half a million dollars.
The Best Croatia Casino Bonuses
The Best Croatia Casino Bonuses for Online Players
When it comes to thrilling bonuses for players in Croatia, you need to know what to look out for if you want to make sure that you have the best chance of getting that big win! The first thing you should consider when looking for the best online casino is the welcome package. But before going ahead and claiming just any, think about what exactly you enjoy playing most. For example, if you prefer table games over slots then free spins are probably not the bonus you’ll get the most out of. But there’s more to online casino rewards than just free spins, and to show you what we mean, we’ve provided a few examples of the types of bonuses you can look forward to when you register at an online casino.
Deposit Bonus
Deposit bonuses are great if you’ve been looking for a way to double your money and get even more to play with than you originally expected! Although many of these bonuses form part of a welcome package aimed at attracting new players, it’s often used as a reload bonus which is reserved for returning players only. You’ll receive a percentage of your deposit back in the form of bonus funds and can expect anything from a 50% to a 100% deposit match!
No Deposit Bonus
What if we told you that some casinos online offer players in Croatia a certain sum of bonus funds and/or free spins simply for creating an account? As a way to encourage new players to register at a specific casino, you’ll find that there are many that will credit your account without asking you to deposit any real money at first. However, you should always read through the terms and conditions of each no deposit bonus as more often than not these bonuses come with some pretty hefty wagering requirements.
Cashback Bonus
If you’ve been a part of the online gambling community for a while now, you’ll know that it’s normal to face a losing streak ever so often. This is why many casinos help soften the blow by offering a cashback bonus. This bonus can usually be claimed if you’ve lost money over a certain period and will be credited to your casino account as bonus funds. Keep in mind that the bonus won’t offer you the entire sum of money lost and instead will offer a percentage of it up to a certain amount.
Loyalty Programmes
Players looking for a way to be rewarded for what they love doing most will be pleased to learn that many online casinos offer Croatian players several exciting rewards for remaining loyal to their site. There are usually levels to a programme and the more points you earn, the higher you climb on the rewards ladder. You can expect to receive anything from higher withdrawal limits to special bonuses.
Wagering Requirements
Keep Wagering Requirements in Mind Before Claiming a Bonus
Even though many of these bonuses look extremely exciting at first glance, you’ll need to remember that the majority of them will come with certain wagering requirements that will need to be met before you’ll be allowed to withdraw your winnings. To give you a better idea about how to work out the wagering requirements for a standard welcome package, we’ve provided a breakdown below.
Offer: 100% up to €500
Rules: Players will need to wager the bonus amount received at least 30x before being able to withdraw any of the money won using bonus funds.
The amount deposited: €200
Bonus received: €200
Minimum wagering requirement: €200 x 30 = €6,000
Popular Payment Methods in Croatia
The Most Popular Payment Methods for Players in Croatia
Once you’ve found the perfect casino site and have your eye on an enticing bonus offer, it’s time to make your first deposit. Now, keep in mind that although many casinos accept a variety of payment options, some will exclude deposits made using specific payment methods from claiming rewards.
Apart from that, different limits will need to be considered and fees may need to be paid which is why it’s always a good idea to look through the range of accepted payment methods at a casino.
Another important point to note when it comes to payment methods is that not all casinos will allow you to make a deposit with one method and then withdraw with another, so it’s always a good idea to double-check and make sure that you’re able to withdraw your winnings using your preferred payment method.
To give you a better idea about the most popular payment methods accepted by Croatian casinos, we’ve provided a few examples below.
Make quick and easy deposits from your bank account to your casino account with just a few clicks. This payment method allows you to start playing all of your favourite games without having to put yourself through long and boring registration processes. All you have to do is visit your casino of choice, select Pay N Play from the list of accepted methods and you’re ready to go!
Bitcoin is quickly becoming one of the quickest ways to make casino deposits and withdrawals not only with Croatian players but players all over the world too! Because each Bitcoin transaction is almost 100% anonymous, you’re able to enjoy your gambling fun without leaving a trail behind. The best thing about using this payment option is that there are Croatian casinos out there that operate only using cryptocurrency!
If you’ve ever used Trustly before, then you’ll have no problem getting the hang of this popular payment method! If you’re looking for a way to make instant deposits and speedy withdrawals then this may be the perfect payment option for you. The reason so many players in Croatia have chosen to use Zimpler at online Croatia casinos is because you don’t need to provide the site with banking details, meaning that you can enjoy an exciting casino experience without worrying about your information falling into the wrong hands.
This E-Wallet has been used to make safe and secure casino transactions for years. One of the more simple ways to fund your casino account, players can create a Skrill account for free within just a few minutes. However, certain fees will need to be paid, so be sure to weigh out all of the pros and cons before opting for this payment method.
Payment Methods at Croatia Casinos
Comparing Different Methods That Are Popular in Croatia
When it comes to using specific methods to fund your casino account, it’s natural to want to make instant deposits and receive any money you withdraw as quickly as possible. And although it’s easy to assume that all payment methods should have the same processing times, that’s not always the case.
The time it takes to reflect in your account will depend on several factors, including the payment method and the Croatian casino you choose to play at. To give you an idea about the deposit times, withdrawal times and fees you can expect, we’ve provided a breakdown below.
A Breakdown of Payment Methods Accepted at Croatia Casinos
Payment Method
Fees
Deposit Time
Withdrawal Time
Pay N Play
None
Instant
Instant
Cryptocurrency
Low to None
Instant
Instant
Zimpler
None
Instant
1-2 Days
Skrill
0-5%
Instant
2-48 Hours
What You Need to Know About Responsible Gambling in Croatia
Gambling is something that should be enjoyed using money you know that you can afford to lose. Unfortunately, the idea of getting that big win and using the atmosphere of a casino to help relieve stress can lead to gambling addiction. However, if you notice the signs early enough you’ll be able to put a stop to any destruction your addiction could cause in your life.
If you suspect that you may have a gambling problem, just know that you’re not alone! This is something people struggle with every day which is why there are various ways to help people in these situations. For example, you could try a few self-help treatment methods like seeking help for underlying emotional disorders, trying to find healthier ways to deal with stress and unpleasant emotions and joining a support group.
Or, if you feel you may need a bit of extra help, you could seek professional treatment like CBT (Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy), marriage and credit counselling or any of the inpatient programmes available in Croatia. Although there aren’t centres that are solely dedicated to helping people with gambling problems, you can take the first step to recovery by getting in touch with a qualified medical professional. Signs that you may be addicted to gambling include:
Playing at an online casino even when you know you can’t afford to lose what you spend.
Your friends and family have mentioned that they feel you spend too much time and/or money gambling.
You find it difficult to resist the temptation to gamble.
Feeling irritated and restless when you stop gambling or when you try to cut down on how much time you spend gambling.
You aren’t successful at trying to stop yourself from gambling.
You’re always thinking about when you can log on and start playing and what games you’ll play.
FAQ
FAQ
Do I need to pay VAT if I win any money at a Croatian casino?
Yes. Since 2009 players who win any money at a casino will need to pay 20% VAT on whatever profit is made from the winnings.
Who issues gambling licences in Croatia?
Licences in Croatia are issued by the Ministry of Finance.
Can a foreigner get a gambling licence in Croatia?
Yes. Foreign companies are allowed to apply for a licence in Croatia provided they have a representative and interests based in Croatia.
Which licences can I apply for in Croatia?
When applying for a casino licence in Croatia, there are several licences available, including licences for lotteries, express/instant/electronic lotteries, sports betting & casual betting, slot machines and online casinos.
Which payment methods can I use to make deposits at a Croatia casino?
This depends on the casino you choose to play at, however, you’ll find that most online casinos in Croatia will accept methods like Skrill, Zimpler and Pay N Play.
Are there welcome offers at all online Croatia casinos?
Although the majority of online casinos in Croatia will try to attract the attention of new players by offering a welcome bonus, there may be a few sites that don’t.
Will cryptocurrency be accepted at online croatia casinos?
Although you’ll find that there are many online casinos that either only accept cryptocurrency or include a few crypto options in their list of accepted methods, not all online Croatia casinos will accept cryptocurrency.
Do all bonuses come with wagering requirements at casinos in Croatia?
No. Although rare, you may stumble across a casino that offers a zero-wagering bonus which means that you’ll be able to claim exciting rewards like free spins and deposit matches without having to spend a certain amount before being able to withdraw your winnings.
Experienced online casino writer and reviewer who loves to share her knowledge and experience with others. She enjoys analyzing the latest trends in the industry and offering valuable tips to help others by having the most from betting at online casinos. She is constantly looking for new and interesting topics to write about and stays up-to-date on the latest changes in the online gambling industry.
precise and the few types of betting that were allowed were only permitted to take place in designated shops.
