Poland Gambling Laws

Ⅰ. Introduction

Ⅱ. Jurisdictional Overview

↳ Online Gambling

↳ Land-Based Gambling

Introduction

The gambling sector is heavily regulated in Poland, with only limited business opportunities available for private operators. Several types of gambling games may only be offered by the state-owned lottery operator, and strict regulations govern the private sector of the market, with a rather restrictive stance taken by the regulator. It is also often unclear whether a specific game should be considered gambling, and the laws in this regard are ambiguous.

Poland online gambling laws are clearly defined in the Gambling Law of 19 November 2009. This statute put very strict regulations in place, and the tight standards are a marked departure from the attitudes about gambling that permeate most of the European Union. The act introduces stringent prescriptions regarding online casinos while leaving the word of European Union regulation.

Prior to the enactment of this statute, gambling in Poland was regulated by the terms of the Act on Games and Betting. Gaming lobbyists tried to influence politicians to amend this law to their advantage. The new law is restrictive in large part because the government wanted to make a statement that they could not be bought by gambling lobbies. Over the previous decades, gambling in Poland was regulated by Act on Games and Betting. However, the Act has been changed and the local government imposes additional restrictions on gambling activity.

Jurisdictional Overview

Online gambling

In Poland, as a general rule, private entities are not permitted to conduct gambling games online. A state-owned company, Totalizator Sportowy, operates the only legal online casino, and offers games such as roulette, card games (poker, blackjack and baccarat – only in their single-player variants) and slot machines.

No specific definition for online gambling is provided in the Gambling Law. The Gambling Law simply includes provisions that apply only to games "conducted via the Internet network", 스포츠토토 but does not explain this term further.

Land-based gambling

To conduct land-based gambling games, private operators must obtain an official permit or a licence (depending on the type of game), or, in the case of certain forms of charity lotteries or bingo, they need only notify the authorities in advance.

Most of the Gambling Law's regulations concern land-based gambling. The Law does not specifically distinguish land-based gambling from online gambling, however, some provisions apply exclusively to online gambling and betting, and are not applicable to land-based operations.