Polish parliament passes Gambling Act
Lawmakers stick with unpopular 12% tax sports betting turnover
The Polish parliament has approved the latest version of the country’s Gambling Act, adopting a state monopoly on online casino but an open licensing regime on sports betting.
The Polish parliament approved the Government’s amendments to the Gambling Act on Thursday night by 244 votes to 186.
The biggest disappointment for operators will be the continued presence of the 12% tax on sports betting turnover, which the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) has called “unworkable”.
The latest version of the bill also calls for a state monopoly on online casino as well as the introduction of IP and payments blocking to clamp down on unlicensed operators.
“[The turnover tax] will continue to stifle competition, value and choice for consumers,” RGA chief executive Clive Hawkswood said.
With the market share of a small handful of licensed operators expected to grow in the wake of the new rules, Polish insiders have warned of a loss of competition and innovation.
On the positive side, the bill also relaxes advertising restrictions, allowing bookmakers to advertise between 10p and 6am.
Poland’s deputy finance minister Wieslaw Janczyk said the tight framework was the “only way to maintain discipline in the market”.
Janczyk said the new market could generate around £280m for Polish the treasury.