We’ve seen a lot of changes this year over the Gaming Industry. Today we are looking at Poland, who was passed a new “Gambling Law”, that regulates some parts of this industry, and gives freedom to others. Many international operators have waited to enter the Polish market of Betting Industries, especially online. But things have changed dramatically. The new “Gambling Law” seeks to improve the legal state of this industry, an industry that state officials say is controlled by “shadow gaming sectors” by up to 90%. Also, it seeks to combat the negative effects and impacts of gambling, that is addiction.
Thus, the expected changes should bring back 40% of the total legal control in the first year, and almost twice after the third year. How will they achieve that? The answer is at the top, on the highest level possible: by giving full control over the “games of chance” to “Totalizator Sportowy”, owner of the LOTTO Polish brand, and probably the most recognizable Polish company. However this measure will only include slots. Such measures are to be ensured because, as state officials have mentioned, “slots, are the most addictive form of gambling”. This regulation is likely to begin from the 1st of January 2017, after the European commission and Polish lawmakers approved it.
Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Science and High Education Jarosław Gowin has proposed a new tax on betting revenue, to raise the old 12% tax to a new 20%. Fears that this new measure could have a very negative effect on foreign investors, made the lawmakers rethink and reject this proposal.
But the new bill isn’t just about restrictions. Good news will also appear in the Gambling Industry, as the Gambling Law will liberalize certain aspects of it. So how will this change the course of things?
First of all, illegal gaming providers will be subjected to more severe consequences; the bill specifies more severe punishments for those who break the law and new methods for ending such practices, in an attempt to stop “shadow companies” and their influence, giving a new legal perspective to all kinds of gambling; measures include registering the financial transactions made by polish players, as well as making a list containing illegal web-sites which may end up to be permanently restricted to polish citizens ; as internet providers will have to block access and payments to illegal domains towards them.
Secondly, international poker operators and other private groups will be allowed to organize poker tournaments and other such events even outside casinos, as well as enabling legal participation in internet betting games. Here we can see a complete liberalization of something that was considered illegal not-so-long-ago, or at least kept inside casinos (poker for example, and poker tournaments, were only allowed inside casinos) . Players and organizers will be able to legally play and bet wherever they wish to play, whether it’s inside a casino, online or anywhere else.
Now, the company has the mission of ensuring responsible and secure gambling. These new measures will likely affect the polish players and the companies investing in this big industry, an industry that has yet to reach its full potential in Poland. But as one door opens, another one is shut, so only time will tell how these changes will affect the future of the Polish Gaming Industry.
