Blackjack
Slots
Roulette
Baccarat
Craps
Poker
The Polish gambling legislation has remained largely unchanged since 2009 when the Gambling Act was passed. The restrictive laws prevented both local and international gambling operators from reaching their full potential within national borders.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and Higher Education Jarosław Gowin, has proposed a couple of changes to the aforesaid Gambling Act. If they get support in the Polish Parliament and are adopted, the Polish betting market should be better regulated.
More Delays for the New Polish Gambling Act
Gambling operators and players alike were looking forward to see the new proposals for the Polish Gambling Act, announced earlier this year by Paweł Szałamacha. These were delayed several times and that is what prompted Jarosław Gowin to take action and make a couple of proposals of his own.
The new law needs the support of the governing party, but if it passes, betting and poker will be excluded from the Gambling Law. At the time of writing, poker can only be played in licensed brick-and-mortar casinos, while games played in private houses are strictly forbidden. Those who are caught playing risk hefty fines and even imprisonment, something that the Deputy Prime Minister wants to change.
Major Changes in Betting Taxes
The proposed gaming tax would consist of a 20% levy on betting revenue, rather than the 12% turnover tax that is currently in effect. 10% of the revenue generated will be divided between the Polish Olympic Committee which would get 7% and organizations fighting gambling addiction who would claim the remaining 3%.
Sports teams in Poland would also benefit from this measure, as they are expected to earn an additional €25 million. Only sports betting operators that hold a valid Polish license will be allowed to cater for local players, while the rest would have their payments and IP blocked.
