Bet365 and William Hill withdraw from Poland
Two operators announce departure from market ahead of next month's new regulatory framework
Bet365 and William Hill have announced they will withdraw from Poland in the coming days as the country prepares to implement more stringent online gambling laws, EGR Intel has learned.
The operators informed affiliates this week they will stop accepting business from Polish customers by the end of the month and that players would need to withdraw funds from their accounts.
Affiliates were also warned to remove all marketing material related to the two operators, including banners and text links.
On 1 April a new version of the Polish online gambling framework goes live, which will eventually include ISP blocking measures.
However, in a letter to affiliates Hills hinted that it intended to return to the Polish online gambling market in the future.
“We value your cooperation and contribution and though William Hill is obliged to cease to accept business from customers in Poland, for the time being, we are confident that we will have the opportunity to work together in the future,” the statement said.
Bet365 and William Hill become the latest operators to confirm its withdrawal from the Polish market, after Pinnacle announced last month it would do the same following the opening up of the market to foreign operators but with no change to its 12% sports betting turnover tax.
EnergyBet also announced this week it would be withdrawing its services in Poland from 1 April due to what it called a “highly restrictive and hostile regulatory environment”.
CEO Marcin Sapinski said: “The Polish market has always been very important to us, and we share the frustration of Polish customers.
“We will continue to monitor developments, with the aim of returning to the Polish market if things change. In the meantime, we would like to thank our Polish customers for their understanding.”
The withdrawal of unlicensed operators from the market will be welcomed by licensed firms such as STS and Fortuna – regulated play in Poland was recently estimated to be just 10% of the total market.
In December, the Polish parliament approved the latest version of the country’s Gambling Act, calling for an open licensing regime on sports betting, but with a hefty 12% tax on turnover.
The Remote Gambling Association (RGA) has previously called the tax rate “unworkable”.