Online Gambling Regulations in Poland

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Deni

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Expertise: Casino Content Writing, Journalism & (PR), Gambling Regulations, Dutch & German Gambling Markets

Hi, I'm Deni! I'm a research obsessive with a passion for gambling regulations, market trends, and casino news. I dig deep into every topic I cover - so every article, review, or guide I write is built on solid research and real detail.

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Published: August 17, 2020
Updated: April 2, 2026

Whenever you are feeling frustrated, in the mood for some fun, or just feeling extra lucky, the first thing you want to do is head to an online casino and test the waters.

The one thing most people fail to do is read up on the gambling laws and regulations in their country. This might not seem like a big deal, as most have legalised online gambling and use it to cash in on extra annual revenue.

However, there are still countries with a different stance on the matter - some have chosen to actively ban all forms of playing, others have legalised it but completely monopolise the market.

For Polish citizens, the latter is the case. The Polish government has worked hard to open the market but keep a monopoly on it.

Online gambling regulations in Poland — Online gambling regulations, laws and taxes in Poland

If you want to play at top EU casinos, but are unsure what the law says, this guide is for you. By the time you’ve reached the end, you will know what to do and whether or not playing at an online casino in Poland is safe.

The history and laws surrounding gambling in Poland

Poland is a country with a rather tragic gambling history. Before the 1990s, the gambling industry wasn’t really considered a big deal.

However, when the new Polish Republic came into existence in 1992, it wrote its own gambling laws. The first one covered all games of chance, mutual betting, and automatic games.

One of the main things the new legislation did was to restrict all casino operators. The legislation went as far as prohibiting foreign investors from owning shares in gambling establishments. Taxes were also raised, which made many close down.

This did not deter citizens from developing a love for gambling, and Poland quickly became known for having one of the largest gambling industries in Eastern Europe.

It was only when changes were brought in to gambling laws in 2009 that online gambling was mentioned.
At this time, online gambling was prohibited.
The law stated that it was illegal for players to participate in online gambling activities, even on foreign sites.

In May 2011, changes were made to the gambling law. Currently, online gambling is legal in Poland. But the legislation is once again very restrictive, as many forms of online poker and online casinos are considered illegal.

Polish citizens can only take part in sports betting activities. The problem is that very little was done about restricting access to foreign sites.

In 2014, the Polish Ministry of Finance made an official announcement stating that Polish players could face legal action if they were caught taking part in online gambling activities on foreign sites.

The announcement also revealed that the Ministry had information on over 24,000 players who had been participating in gambling overseas.

Early in 2017, new gambling regulations were put in place. The legislation made it possible for international operators to apply for sports betting licenses. Totalizator Sportowy, however, was granted a total monopoly on all online casino game offerings (including slots) as well as other land-based and online gambling activities.

The authorities have also started their hunt for illegal casinos and have blocked many unauthorised websites. To date, the Ministry of Finance has blocked thousands of domains. The strict legislation has also put a damper on interest from foreign operators.

Are online gambling winnings taxable in Poland?

Currently, sports betting and casino winnings above PLN 2,280 from local online are taxed at 10%. The tax is withheld at the source, so players don’t need to declare winnings or pay additional taxes.

Thus, even if you win you will be paying tax, but it will be deducted before you receive your winnings.
No taxes are charged when playing at foreign sites, as this is considered to be an illegal activity.

The downside for operators is that all licensed operators are required to pay 12% tax on turnover. Some have even stated that the tax rate is way too high for the size of the Polish market.

Is it legal to gamble online in Poland?

Some forms of it are legal, and if you are looking for casino games, you’ll have to play them on sites owned by Totalizator Sportowy. All foreign casino sites offering anything other than sports betting are considered illegal.

In most countries, the authorities are focused on punishing site owners rather than individual players. In Poland, however, the government has made it clear that individuals caught taking part in illegal gambling activities could face legal charges.

Recent endeavours of the government include stricter control over in-game purchases. The authorities are looking to classify loot boxes as gambling and ban gambling streams entirely.

As a Polish citizen, this might seem strange as there are plenty of online casinos offering their services to Polish players. So, be extra careful!

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By Deni

Verified Casino Expert

Expertise: Casino Content Writing, Journalism & (PR), Gambling Regulations, Dutch & German Gambling Markets

Learn about our Review Process

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Last updated: April 2, 2026

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Poland - online gambling regulations

Contents

Contents

The history and laws surrounding gambling in Poland

Are online gambling winnings taxable in Poland?