HUPIS

Company History and Evolution

HUPIS, the Croatian Gaming Association (Hrvatska udruga priređivača igara na sreću), was initially founded on April 18, 2006, in Zagreb, operating under the name Croatian Amusement Club Association (HUAK). In its formative years, the association primarily focused on representing operators of gaming machine clubs. A significant transformation occurred in 2014 when an initiative was launched to expand membership to encompass all categories of licensed gambling operators within the Republic of Croatia. This led to the adoption of statutory amendments at the General Assembly session on December 18, 2014, and the association began operating under its current name, HUPIS, in March 2015.

Business Model and Market Position

As an industry association, HUPIS's business model is centered on advocacy, representation, and support for its members. It does not offer direct gambling products or platforms. Instead, it works to ensure a lawful, transparent, and sustainable gambling market in Croatia by engaging in active policy dialogue and maintaining close, constructive cooperation with Croatian regulatory authorities. HUPIS is recognized as a credible and responsible stakeholder by both regulators and public institutions in Croatia.

HUPIS is the largest industry association for licensed Croatian gambling operators and is the sole Croatian member of EUROMAT, the oldest and most established European federation representing the gaming and amusement industry. This membership underscores its prominent position within the European gaming landscape.

Activities and Regulatory Engagement

The association's activities are primarily focused on protecting the interests of licensed domestic operators, promoting high standards of responsible gaming, and enhancing the regulatory framework. HUPIS actively participates in several national expert and working groups, and its representatives serve on EUROMAT's Executive Committee, Legal Committee, and Social Responsibility Committee.

HUPIS has been particularly active in recent years concerning the proposed changes to the Croatian Gambling Law. It has voiced concerns that overly restrictive regulatory measures could have severe negative consequences for the legal industry, potentially leading to job losses and a surge in unlicensed online operators. The association advocates for balanced regulations that protect players without undermining the legal gaming industry.

Partnerships and Strategic Direction

HUPIS is a signatory to a Memorandum of Cooperation with AGOS (Serbia), reinforcing regional efforts to combat illegal gambling. A key development in its strategic direction is the establishment of the Balkan Gaming Federation (BGF), with HUPIS's headquarters in Zagreb chosen as the seat for this new regional platform. This initiative aims to strengthen cooperation among national gaming industry associations across the Western Balkans to fight the illegal market and promote proportionate regulation. Filip Jelevic, the Secretary General of HUPIS, was elected chair of the working group tasked with preparing the BGF Statute.

In addition to its advocacy and collaborative efforts, HUPIS also provides services to its members, such as annual Anti-Money Laundering (AML) education.