History of Gambling in Poland
Gambling has been around for many years in Poland. However, it wasn’t until 1920 before the first casino opened in the country. The casino became an entire resort in 1927, and slot machines and other casino games began to gain traction. Players from Poland and tourists visited the resort and others that were available.
The second World War impacted the country’s gambling industry, and part of its history remains intertwined with the war. Poland’s gambling history entered different eras after the war.
After the Second World War, with the USSR as one of the victorious parties, Poland was one of the countries annexed by the Soviets in Eastern Europe. As a result, all forms of gambling were banned. However, some countries in the annexation found a loophole, and they continued to gamble.
- Gambling in Poland after the Soviet Union
In 1992, the Soviet Union fell, although its influence remained part of most of the countries as they looked for ways to become independent. Some decided to join the European Union, while Poland was among the countries that decided to revive its fallen gambling industry with new regulations.
November 19, 2009, Gambling Act imposes the law on gambling and set the requirement and penalties for violation. This act applies to all forms of gambling in the country, including the land-based and online gambling markets.
Although gambling has been legal for a long time in Poland, it wasn’t until the Gambling Act of 2009 that online gambling and online casino sites were regulated. As a result, betting sites have difficulty obtaining operating licenses in Poland. However, international gambling operators accept Polish players.
Future of Online Casinos in Poland
Although the government of Poland has placed stringent regulations on online casinos, we expect the country to relax its restrictions in the future because the popularity of online casinos in the country is increasing. Players don’t have to worry about playing at the best online casinos because offshore casinos accept players from Poland.
Online Casino Regulation in Poland: Are Online Casinos Legal?
Online casino regulation in Poland is tricky because of the corruption scandal that involved the Sports Minister in 2009. Before 2009, online gambling was largely unregulated, and players could find the best Polish sites without fear of breaking any law. However, since the Gambling Act was introduced, most forms of online gambling have endured harsher regulations.
Although there are online casinos that will accept Polish players, unlicensed online casinos, including offshore operators, are illegal in Poland. Sports betting is the only form of legal online gambling in the country, and players can enjoy online casino gambling through state-managed online sites.
For the gambling market to improve, the government needs to relax their current regulation to meet the current players’ need for a wide variety of options when choosing an online casino.
Deposit & Withdrawal Limits at Poland Casinos
With most of the online casinos in Poland left unregulated, the withdrawal and deposit limits at these casinos are based on the casino’s terms. Therefore, before joining an online casino site, you might want to review the terms and conditions page to see the limits for deposits and withdrawals.
Online Casino Licenses in Poland
The Gambling Act provides the licenses an online casino will need to operate in Poland. However, the stringent regulations and laws make it subject to monopoly by the totalizator Sportowy controlled by the state. As a result, most of the casinos accepting Polish players today do not have licenses in the country.
Responsible Gambling in Poland
Despite the stringent laws on the gaming industry, many people in Poland still find ways to play at the best online casinos in the world. Therefore, responsible gambling remains a considerable part of the industry. People with gambling problems can find different tools at the casino they join.
Helpline for Problem Gamblers in Poland
Gamblers Anonymous provides Polish players with a responsible gambling helpline for those that seek help. In addition, you can always contact customer support to find out more about how they help gamblers with problems.
Taxation on Poland Online Casino Winnings
Except for promotional lotteries, gambling is subjected to taxation in Poland. The tax is also applicable to the state monopoly games. The tax rate also varies based on the games you play. For instance, you’re charged 2.5% for placing bets on animal sports competitions. Meanwhile, you might need to pay up to 50% when playing at a casino in Poland, including slot machines, live dealer games, and most casino games.
The taxation is also based on the games. However, for most games, it is calculated against the turnover. As a result, a casino in Poland struggles to compete against its offshore counterpart since the current tax reduces winnings significantly, regardless of the incredible gaming experience it might offer.
Casino Bonuses in Poland
When you want to play casino games at any online casino Poland site, you should know that bonuses are waiting for you to explore. These gaming sites are looking for ways to attract new players as they also work to keep the old players. Therefore, you should be looking for the best online casinos with the best bonuses.
Casino bonuses in Poland can include cash bonuses from deposits, no-deposit offers, free spins, cashback, and more. Some prepaid cards and special banking methods might also give you exclusive casino bonuses when you use them as your preferred payment option. So, you might want to review the casino’s bonus page and the terms before proceeding.
Bonus Wagering Requirments
You should also know that these bonuses come with unique requirements before your wins can be withdrawn. Therefore, you might want to check the wagering requirements before claiming any offer. The requirements will tell you what type of video slot, card games, or casino games you can play and the number of times you need to wager the money for it to become withdrawable.
Best Payment Methods in Poland Casinos
Getting the proper payment method is also essential to your gambling journey, and as a player from Poland, you need an option to a range of options that will let you use your Polish Zloty without stress. In that case, a list of popular payment methods in Poland is a perfect gift. And that is why we’ve listed a range of the best Polish online payment methods you can choose from.
- Credit and debit cards
- Cryptocurrency
- PayU
- DotPay
- Skrill
- Blik
- Paysafecard
- Google Pay
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