Poland mulls a ban on online gambling as four politicians quit amidst gambling-related corruption.
Following weeks of political scandal, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is determined to ban online gambling in the EU-member state. The new legislation will outlaw all gambling that takes place outside land-based casinos, including online gambling, while imposing higher taxes on legal gambling operators. The first draft of the proposed reform will be ready in two weeks time.
A Ban With A Twist
Internet gamblers may shrug
off yet another crack down on their favorite past time, given that numerous
countries have imposed heavy restrictions on internet gaming since its inception.
The Polish prohibition, however, is no typical gaming ban - it comes in the
wake of a gambling scandal that's already cost the Polish prime minister the
backbone of his government.
Operation Blackjack
Four senior Polish officials
have been forced to resign in recent weeks on suspicion of letting gaming
industry lobbyists exert inappropriate influence on political decisions.
One of the newly unemployed politicians is Miroslaw Drzewiecki, the former Minister for Sport. His name featured on documentation published as part of "Operation Blackjack" - the investigation into the alleged corruption. The incriminated minister for justice and the deputy prime minister also handed in their resignation letters.
Reaction
Speculation is rife that
Poland needs extra tax from land-based casinos to finance its joint hosting of
the 2012 European Championship. Critics argue that taxing a regulated online
gaming industry would achieve the same revenue, but that the legalization route
doesn't suit Prime Minister Tusk, who's now making a last ditch attempt to regain
public confidence in his government:
"...my colleagues and I want to do everything to convince Poles and also our opponents about our impartiality." Tusk was quoted as saying by iGamingBusiness.
Could it be that Poland's internet gaming industry has fallen victim to petty inter-party rivalries?
Visit Online Casino Reports Poland for a list of Polish online casinos.
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