HAKOM contributes to HZJZ guidelines aimed at reducing risks associated with gambling and video gaming

HAKOM representatives contributed to the expert working group responsible for developing two sets of guidelines aimed at reducing public health risks and protecting children and young people.

ZAGREB, 17 September 2026 - The Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) has adopted the Guidelines for Cooperation with the Gambling Industry and the Guidelines for Cooperation with the Video Game Industry, aimed at reducing public health risks and harms associated with problematic gambling and video gaming, with a particular focus on the protection of children and young people. HAKOM representatives contributed to the development of both sets of guidelines as members of an expert working group established by HZJZ, alongside representatives of the relevant state authorities, regulatory agencies, academia, civil society organisations and the private sector.

The Guidelines were developed as part of the project Promoting the Mental Health of Children and Young People by Addressing the Risks of Online Gambling and Video Gaming, co-funded by the European Union through the Technical Support Instrument (TSI) and implemented by the Council of Europe in cooperation with the European Commission.
The Guidelines seek to strengthen cooperation between the public and private sectors, promote responsible business practices and preventive action, and reinforce mechanisms for the protection of public health, with particular emphasis on children and young people.

A number of issues addressed by the Guidelines are also relevant to the protection of users in the digital environment. These include the protection of minors, the design and features of digital services, advertising and age assurance, as well as risks associated with specific features of video games, including virtual currencies, micro transactions and loot boxes.HAKOM is the Digital Services Coordinator for the Republic of Croatia. In this capacity, it contributes to coordinating the implementation of the Digital Services Act (DSA) and cooperates with the relevant national authorities, other Digital Services Coordinators and the European Commission.

The protection of minors is also addressed by the European Commission’s Guidelines on measures to ensure a high level of privacy, safety and security for minors online, adopted pursuant to Article 28(4) of the DSA. The Commission’s guidelines set out measures that online platforms can implement to mitigate risks to children and young people, including risks arising from harmful content, problematic and addictive behaviours, manipulative commercial practices and certain design features. In the Republic of Croatia, the authority responsible for the implementation of Article 28 of the DSA is the Croatian Personal Data Protection Agency (AZOP).
 
This area is also addressed in HAKOM’s Guide for Providers of Online Platforms: Obligations, Risks and Recommended Measures - Protection of Minors under the Digital Services Act, which was prepared to provide providers of online platforms accessible to minors with practical information on the relevant obligations, risks and possible protective measures.
 
The Guide provides an overview of the applicable obligations, identified risks and recommended measures, together with practical examples of measures designed to protect the privacy, safety and wellbeing of children and young people in the digital environment.

The HZJZ Guidelines and further information are available on the Croatian Institute of Public Health website.