Croatia National Team’s Deal with Bookmaker Featured a Fake Representative

^{Pictured: “Alexander Smith” (centre) and officials of the Croatian Football Federation during the signing of the partnership}

Croatia’s national football team signed a sponsorship agreement in 2024 with iGaming operator Dragon Z6, which does not hold licenses in regulated jurisdictions, Josimar reported.

The case highlights a broader issue: operators with unclear regulatory status are gaining access to large audiences through partnerships with prominent football clubs and national teams, helping to boost brand visibility and promote their services.

The investigation refers to a two-year contract signed in May 2024. The company was granted exclusive betting partner status for the Croatia national team in the Asian market ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Particular attention is paid to the circumstances surrounding the signing of the deal. At the ceremony in Zagreb, the operator’s representative appeared under the name “Alexander Smith.” Using facial recognition tools and open-source intelligence, journalists concluded that the individual was Branko Balon, a computer science lecturer at Algebra Bernays University in Zagreb. His possible connection to Dragon Z6 has not been officially disclosed.

^{Pictured: Branko Balon is a computer science lecturer at a university in Zagreb}

According to the investigation, Dragon Z6 and its affiliated brand KashBet do not hold licenses in recognized gambling jurisdictions. The operator is said to rely on a network of mirror websites and to target Asian audiences, including China, where online gambling is prohibited. The report also notes that KashBet has previously claimed partnerships with several football clubs, including Ajax, Roma, and Bayer Leverkusen.

A separate aspect of the investigation concerns the use of images of former footballer Robin van Persie.

According to his representative, the player’s photos may have been used on the operator’s websites without authorization, and he has not entered into any agreements with Dragon Z6 or related brands.

The investigation also states that the operator’s infrastructure may be linked to the Philippines, where authorities have tightened restrictions on offshore iGaming companies in recent years.

The Croatian Football Federation said it had conducted standard due diligence procedures before signing the agreement with Dragon Z6. The organization added that it does not comment on internal matters of its partners, including issues related to the representation of their staff.

Croatia will take part in the 2026 World Cup. In the group stage, the team is scheduled to face England on June 17 in Dallas, United States.

Gambling Park adds that all FIFA World Cup 2026 matches will have a single official betting data supplier for the first time.