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Payments Under Scrutiny: Polish Example

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Online gambling continues to thrive in Poland, despite the country’s strict regulatory framework. Virtual casinos and betting platforms still attract players with the promise of easy access and quick winnings. Yet, their operations would not be possible without the involvement of payment institutions that process transactions for entities operating outside the boundaries of the law. Behind the scenes lie not only questions about compliance with Poland’s Gambling Act, but also serious concerns about money laundering and the potential financing of criminal activity.

 

PSPs Legal Responsibility

The key question remains the legality of actions taken by payment institutions that handle transactions linked to illegal online gambling. Do they, even unintentionally, help such operations thrive? Under Polish law, payment service providers are required to monitor and limit high-risk transactions. In practice, this means that every deposit or withdrawal connected to unlicensed gambling activity should be treated as a red flag. Special attention is also given to transactions made through popular mobile payment systems such as BLIK. While BLIK itself is not a payment institution under Polish law, the banks and financial operators using it are and it is they who bear responsibility for preventing the flow of funds that may support illegal gambling activities.

 

Clear Legal Framework, Limited Excuses

Polish law leaves little room for speculation here. The register of domains used to offer illegal gambling, the ban on processing payments for unlicensed operators, and the penalties outlined in the Fiscal Penal Code and Criminal Code set clear boundaries of responsibility.

The Anti-Money Laundering Act (AML) and the EU Regulation 2023/1113 require payment institutions to actively monitor transactions, block suspicious transfers, and cut off risky relationships. Guidance issued by the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF/UKNF) and the National Risk Assessment, along with its sectoral annex, describes typical abuse schemes and makes it clear that payments directed toward online gambling should be treated as a major warning signal. In practice, this means that financial channels supporting illegal gambling must be identified and shut down before the funds return to players as so-called “winnings.”

And this principle is now being actively enforced. Recently, the Financial Supervision Authority (UKNF) went a step further, issuing a sector-wide warning urging payment service providers to block financial flows to unlicensed operators. In response, Polish payment providers have begun withdrawing support for illegal gambling sites and removing payment options such as BLIK from unlicensed platforms.

 

The Hardest to Detect: The Intermediary Role

The flow of funds into illegal online gambling can take many forms, depending on the relationships between the parties involved in the transaction. The most difficult to detect, however, is the scenario in which a payment institution acts only as an intermediary within a larger payment chain transferring money between other financial service providers without directly serving the payer or the recipient. Even in such cases, the institution is not exempt from its obligation to continuously monitor and analyse all transactions.

Depending on the type of payment, it should apply different verification methods, all aimed at determining whether executing a transfer on behalf of another provider could, in practice, end up funding entities that organize illegal online gambling. The institution must obtain information from the ordering provider about the recipient, determine whether it is engaged in gambling related activity, and verify its legal status. If red flags arise during the analysis such as missing data in the payment chain, a domain listed in the official register, or the absence of the website from the list of legal operators the transaction should be paused or rejected and properly escalated. This includes raising the risk level, notifying the relevant authorities, or even terminating cooperation. When dealing with correspondent relationships involving other institutions, including those based within the European Union, heightened caution is essential.

 

Grey Market Fuelled by Inaction

Illegal online gambling would not exist without the support of the payment system. Although the law clearly defines the obligations of financial institutions, in practice it is often these very institutions that knowingly or not enable the flow of money into illegal online gambling. This is why effective identification and blocking of such transactions is crucial, especially within complex payment chains where tracing the connections can be most difficult. Every transfer made in support of illegal online gambling represents not only a legal risk but also real support for the shadow economy that thrives on the lack of vigilance within the financial sector.

This article was supplied by:

Marek Plota

Founding Attorney at RM Legal & Gaming In Poland •

Marek is a founder and a head of the legal team at RM Legal Law Firm and Gaming In Poland, jointly providing multidisciplinary and multijurisdictional support for leading international gambling operators in the Polish, European Union, and African markets. His gambling practice includes regulatory support at the pre and post-licensing stage, IT, and taxation services, as well as the unique service of performing a function of a gambling representative. RM Legal is the only law firm in Poland representing offshore companies operating legally in the Polish gambling market. Apart from gambling Marek specializes in corporate commercial law and international investment projects.

The post Payments Under Scrutiny: Polish Example appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

George Miller (Gyorgy Molnar) started his career in content marketing and has started working as an Editor/Content Manager for our company in 2016. George has acquired many experiences when it comes to interviews and newsworthy content becoming Head of Content in 2017. He is responsible for the news being shared on multiple websites that are part of the European Gaming Media Network.

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WinSpirit Redesigns VIP Experience to Drive Retention and Long-Term Player Value

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Player loyalty is evolving — and so is WinSpirit’s approach. They’ve unveiled a fully redesigned VIP program, merging loyalty mechanics and exclusive rewards into one clear, gamified journey. The goal? Drive deeper engagement, long-term satisfaction, and higher lifetime player value (LTV) through transparency and simplicity.

This combination of permanent progression and time-limited campaigns positions WinSpirit’s VIP Club as a modern retention tool — one designed to reduce churn while giving players a clearer sense of achievement.

Data-Driven Response

The updated VIP model is a direct response to user behavior and feedback. WinSpirit observed that, for some users, the previous program might have been a little complex — primarily due to separated loyalty levels and the pressure of maintaining temporary statuses. So the brand decided to simplify the progression path.

“We consistently listen to our players, and their desire to retain earned progress was clear,” said a WinSpirit representative. “This redesign is our commitment to them—we’re replacing complexity with simplicity, ensuring every player feels valued and their long-term journey is rewarding.”

How the New VIP Club Works

The redesigned VIP Club merges lifetime progress with seasonal engagement to create a system that rewards both consistency and activity. Players unlock a permanent VIP status that never resets — a key benefit that builds trust and long-term motivation.

On top of this, rotating seasonal levels introduce fresh challenges and time-limited bonuses that keep engagement high. Even when players take a break, their status stays — removing pressure and encouraging steady play.

All progression and rewards are tracked in a centralized VIP dashboard, giving players full visibility and control without the need to contact support. This clarity minimizes friction and churn.

Seasonality as a Strategic Engagement

WinSpirit’s new format introduces quarterly campaigns, each with a dedicated theme and bonus structure. The current activation, Flame of Thrill, designed to re-ignite player motivation during autumn campaigns, features:

  • Increased cashback tiers and deposit insurance
  • Personalized bonuses and access to exclusive promotions
  • Limited seasonal rewards and much more

Even for long-term players, these rotating seasons bring something new — keeping the program exciting well beyond the first few tiers.

Why It Matters for Business

From a business perspective, the redesigned VIP Club introduces several measurable advantages:

  • Increased retention (reduced status loss anxiety).
  • Higher LTV (steady progression over time).
  • More consistent activity (recurring seasonal goals).
  • Fewer negative touchpoints (clear rules).

The introduction of a permanent VIP threshold (VIP Iron) creates a strong psychological anchor for re-engagement — aligning well with known gamification strategies in product design.

Overall, WinSpirit’s transformation reflects a broader commitment to listening to players. The brand is shifting toward a more sustainable model that fosters long-term relationships through clarity, fairness, and flexible progression. It’s a big step toward a smarter, player-first future — where loyalty is truly rewarded, and progress never goes unnoticed.

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INSPIRED UNVEILS GOLD CASH FREE SPINS SUPER WHEEL™ FEATURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PLAYER LINK™ MECHANIC

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Inspired Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: INSE), a leading B2B provider of gaming content, systems, and solutions, has launched Gold Cash Free Spins Super Wheel, a supercharged evolution of Inspired’s classic hit slot, Gold Cash Free Spins. Available across the UK and Malta iGaming markets.

Gold Cash Free Spins Super Wheel introduces a new industry-first shared bonus mechanic named, Player Link (United States Patent No. 12,350,596). For the first time, players can share and compete in the anticipation and excitement of a bonus trigger in the form of the Super Wheel. This innovative mechanic generates a sense of community and competition, delivering the lucrative “Super Bonus” to a winning player, before resetting and starting the competition all over again.

Set on 5×4 reels with 40 win-lines, the game combines the much-loved Gold Cash Free Spins gameplay with electrifying new features. The shared Super Wheel awards instant cash prizes, lucrative Super Cash rewards, or triggers the high-value Super Bonus. Each spin of the super wheel builds suspense, with segments that progressively upgrade to increase the chances of hitting the Super Bonus. The Super Bonus awards eight Super Free Spins featuring only the highest-paying symbols and dramatic Wild Spins, with Wilds dropping onto the reels for big win potential.

Steven Collett, Chief Product Officer at Inspired Entertainment, commented: “Gold Cash Free Spins Super Wheel is a major leap forward in slot innovation. With the revolutionary Player Link mechanic, we’ve created a shared, community-driven experience that builds excitement for every player. This game blends the trusted Gold Cash Free Spins brand with fresh, competitive gameplay designed to engage players and deliver strong results for operators. We’re excited to see its performance and look forward to launching more fun content, featuring our groundbreaking Player Link technology. Each title will incorporate the Super Wheel as a consistent feature while offering a distinct Super Bonus aligned with the game’s theme.”

With escalating rewards, shared excitement, and iconic features, Gold Cash Free Spins Super Wheel sets a new benchmark for iGaming. It combines big wins, big action, and a shared sense of fun, to keep players engaged and highly entertained.

The post INSPIRED UNVEILS GOLD CASH FREE SPINS SUPER WHEEL™ FEATURING THE REVOLUTIONARY PLAYER LINK™ MECHANIC appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Wagercomms and Million Games Launch Hard Eight Poker™ – A Fast, Strategic Table Experience

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Million Games, in partnership with Wagercomms, has officially launched Hard Eight Poker, a high-speed, strategic casino table game that combines classic card play with dual progressive jackpots and sleek, mobile-first design.

Developed under the Million Stars partner program, Hard Eight Poker represents the next step in Wagercomms’ mission to deliver proprietary, high-performing table content for online operators.

The game introduces a dynamic mix of Ante betting, Red/Black decisions, and optional Progressive Eight side bets, giving players the freedom to raise, insure, or cash in at every stage. With multi-tier payouts — including 5:1 for a Pair of Eights, 25:1 for a Hard Eight, and 50:1 for Triple Eights — the action builds round after round.

“Hard Eight Poker delivers exactly what today’s casino audience wants — something fast, strategic, and fair,” said Thomas Nimstad, CEO of Million Games. “Wagercomms has created a table game that’s easy to learn but layered with strategic depth, giving operators a powerful new addition to their lobbies. It’s the perfect example of how the Million Stars program helps studios like Wagercomms transform great concepts into market-ready games”

Following Draw Sevens, Hard Eight Poker marks the next milestone for Wagercomms under its Wagercomms Originals series — a growing portfolio designed for lasting player engagement and differentiation in slot-heavy environments.

“With Hard Eight Poker, we wanted to create a table game that feels familiar but plays with a fresh edge — fast, strategic, and designed for the modern player,” said Peter Bengtsson, CEO of Wagercomms. “Working with Million Games allowed us to focus on gameplay depth and balance, while their platform and publishing expertise helped us bring it to operators worldwide.”

With a 2.74% house edge, mobile-first design, and certified RNG, Hard Eight Poker is now available for integration via Million Games, offering both casual and competitive players an elevated table experience.

The post Wagercomms and Million Games Launch Hard Eight Poker™ – A Fast, Strategic Table Experience appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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