Poland is set to implement a significant change in its gambling tax structure, with plans to increase the tax on gambling winnings to 15% starting in January 2026. This adjustment will apply to both land-based and online gambling platforms, covering a wide range of activities including slot machines, card games, and lotteries.
The new tax rate will specifically target winnings that exceed 2,280 zloty, which includes payouts from jackpots and tournament prizes. The Ministry of Finance estimates that this change could generate an additional 500 million zloty annually for the government. This move aligns Poland with a broader trend observed in several European nations, where gambling taxes have been on the rise.
Key Details of the Tax Structure
> Effective Date: January 2026
> New Tax Rate: 15% on winnings over 2,280 zloty
> Types of Gambling Affected: Slot machines, card games, lotteries, and online gambling services
Despite the tax increase, promotional offers such as free spins will remain unchanged, allowing players to engage in risk-free gameplay. This aspect is particularly appealing, as research indicates that nearly half of online gamblers in Poland utilised free spins in the past year.
Impact on Players
The introduction of the 15% tax is expected to have a profound effect on the behaviour of players, particularly those who participate in high-stakes tournaments. Under the current tax regime of 10%, players retain 90% of their winnings. However, with the new tax structure, net winnings will decrease significantly. For instance, a player winning 10,000 zloty will now take home only 8,500 zloty after tax.
Poland’s gambling tax has seen several changes over the years. Since 2018, a uniform tax rate of 10% has been in place, which replaced a previous tiered system that taxed winnings above 1,000 zloty at 12%.
The Polish gambling tax revenue has shown a steady increase, rising from 1.7 billion zloty in 2020 to an estimated 2.3 billion zloty in 2024. With the new tax structure, projections suggest that revenue could exceed 2.8 billion zloty by 2026.
Showing posts with label Poland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Poland. Show all posts
November 05, 2025
February 05, 2016
PartyPoker to return to 21 online gambling markets under GVC
PartyPoker returns to 21 new online gambling markets including jurisdictions it exited as part of its “volume to value” strategy.
PartyPoker has begun operating in a number of new national markets after GVC Holdings completed its deal to buy bwin.party.
Bwin’s online poker room has written to affiliates asking them to estimate the number of first time depositors they anticipate in each market.
New sign-ups from 18 countries in EU and South America served by bwin.Party were blocked in April 2013. The decision was likely a mix of regulatory concern and simple cost analysis. The remaining countries may represent markets either too small or simply unprofitable for bwin.party to maintain operations in.
Many EU countries on the list curbed or prohibited online poker such as Greece, Poland, Romania, Cyprus and Hungary. Finland and Serbia, on the other hand, had a small regulated online poker markets.
South American countries — Argentina, Brazil and Colombia — were also blocked same with three former Soviet Republics Armenia, Belarus and the Ukraine.
Many of the markets that PartyPoker is re-entering are expected to introduce online poker licensing systems such as Colombia, which opened a consultation on launching a regulated online gambling market. Brazil has approved a legislative attempt to legalize online sports betting, casino and bingo games last year.
Bwin.party group head of partypoker and Cashcade Tom Waters confirmed the news to EGR, saying that it had re-opened in a “limited number of regulated territories” following a “thorough review” of PartyPoker’s operations.
“Along with other operators in the industry, we do accept gameplay from customers based in yet to be regulated territories where customers are not prevented from accessing online gaming products,” said Waters. “We have re-opened registration for a number of markets and could potentially look to do more if the commercials support it.”
PartyPoker has begun operating in a number of new national markets after GVC Holdings completed its deal to buy bwin.party.
Bwin’s online poker room has written to affiliates asking them to estimate the number of first time depositors they anticipate in each market.
New sign-ups from 18 countries in EU and South America served by bwin.Party were blocked in April 2013. The decision was likely a mix of regulatory concern and simple cost analysis. The remaining countries may represent markets either too small or simply unprofitable for bwin.party to maintain operations in.
Many EU countries on the list curbed or prohibited online poker such as Greece, Poland, Romania, Cyprus and Hungary. Finland and Serbia, on the other hand, had a small regulated online poker markets.
South American countries — Argentina, Brazil and Colombia — were also blocked same with three former Soviet Republics Armenia, Belarus and the Ukraine.
Many of the markets that PartyPoker is re-entering are expected to introduce online poker licensing systems such as Colombia, which opened a consultation on launching a regulated online gambling market. Brazil has approved a legislative attempt to legalize online sports betting, casino and bingo games last year.
Bwin.party group head of partypoker and Cashcade Tom Waters confirmed the news to EGR, saying that it had re-opened in a “limited number of regulated territories” following a “thorough review” of PartyPoker’s operations.
“Along with other operators in the industry, we do accept gameplay from customers based in yet to be regulated territories where customers are not prevented from accessing online gaming products,” said Waters. “We have re-opened registration for a number of markets and could potentially look to do more if the commercials support it.”
March 18, 2015
Poland to relax strict online gambling laws
Poland are moving to more liberal online gambling laws after the European Commission approved the countries plans to allow overseas online gambling operators into the country. It is planned now that Poland will allow foreign operators to offer their services in the country without having to locate a base within the country.
Following a review of its current law, Polish ministers have lifted operator requirements to be partnered with a local partner.
It was last year that the EU Commission criticized Poland for its ruling that only online operators based within its borders were allowed to offer online gambling.
Currently only four online operators have been granted licenses to offer their services to nationals, they are Fortuna Entertainment, Milenium, STS and Totolek. A timeframe for the new laws is not known but it is expected to be changed this year.
Following a review of its current law, Polish ministers have lifted operator requirements to be partnered with a local partner.
It was last year that the EU Commission criticized Poland for its ruling that only online operators based within its borders were allowed to offer online gambling.
Currently only four online operators have been granted licenses to offer their services to nationals, they are Fortuna Entertainment, Milenium, STS and Totolek. A timeframe for the new laws is not known but it is expected to be changed this year.
December 03, 2014
Polish government threaten online gamblers
The Polish government has issued a warning to online gamblers in the country that they could be prosecuted should they play online using offshore unregulated online operators. The announcement by the government is the first ever move to prosecute players instead of operators for unlicensed online gambling.
A statement on the website of the Ministry of Finance’s website says it has proof of more than 24,000 gamblers playing online within the country using unlicensed online gambling sites from outside the country. It also says they have started criminal investigations against some 1,100 players.
Polish gambling law states that any online operator wishing to offer services in the country must have their servers based in the country and have to carry the domain ending .pl.
It also states that all money transactions would have to run exclusively through Polish banks, with the tax rate was set at 12% for operators.
There have been many objections to the Polish regulations and the government has said it will consider in the future that operators only need to have a local branch not all the servers based in the country.
A statement on the website of the Ministry of Finance’s website says it has proof of more than 24,000 gamblers playing online within the country using unlicensed online gambling sites from outside the country. It also says they have started criminal investigations against some 1,100 players.
Polish gambling law states that any online operator wishing to offer services in the country must have their servers based in the country and have to carry the domain ending .pl.
It also states that all money transactions would have to run exclusively through Polish banks, with the tax rate was set at 12% for operators.
There have been many objections to the Polish regulations and the government has said it will consider in the future that operators only need to have a local branch not all the servers based in the country.
June 26, 2014
Poland to amend Gambling Act and allow foreign operators
The Polish Government drafted its first ever amendment on licensed online gambling. The amendment will look to be attached to Poland’s existing Gambling Act, and would remove various obstacles for foreign based sports betting and igaming operators to market products in the region.
The amendment will remove existing legislations that require gambling companies to operate within Polish borders. This existing legislation has limited the number of operators wanting to target the Polish igaming market.
The new Polish gambling legislations, will permit for EU licensed and regulated igaming operators to enter the market. However all operators wishing to enter the market, will have to comply with Polish tax frameworks regarding gambling.
The new amendment will ask all operators to supply financial documents and reports in the Polish language.
Poland had been pressured by the EU to review its igaming framework, since it did not comply with European Commission laws. It is thought that Poland will fast track online gambling legislation with a view to have the necessary framework for foreign operator licensing by the first quarter of 2015.
The amendment will remove existing legislations that require gambling companies to operate within Polish borders. This existing legislation has limited the number of operators wanting to target the Polish igaming market.
The new Polish gambling legislations, will permit for EU licensed and regulated igaming operators to enter the market. However all operators wishing to enter the market, will have to comply with Polish tax frameworks regarding gambling.
The new amendment will ask all operators to supply financial documents and reports in the Polish language.
Poland had been pressured by the EU to review its igaming framework, since it did not comply with European Commission laws. It is thought that Poland will fast track online gambling legislation with a view to have the necessary framework for foreign operator licensing by the first quarter of 2015.
April 24, 2013
Bwin.party look to withdraw from 18 countries.
Bwin.party have announced they are blocking players from 18 countries within the EU and also South America. Those countries involved are Greece, Poland, Romania, Cyprus, Finland, Serbia, Armenia, Belarus, Croatia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Slovenia, Ukraine, Argentina, Brazil and finally Colombia.
The move was announced to affiliates by the company on an email on Friday 19th April.
On the email it said that from the 30th April no new singups will be accepted from those countries and also there was a request that all marketing material aimed at those countries be removed. However all existing accounts will remain open, and affiliate commission to those accounts will continue to be paid.
It is thought the move is connected with those countries mentioned looking to reduce or prohibit online gambling within their borders in the future along with the commercial aspect that those mentioned are small in operating value and allows bwin.party to focus their efforts on more lucrative markets such as the US and more recognised and profitable regions such as the UK and Spain.
The move was announced to affiliates by the company on an email on Friday 19th April.
On the email it said that from the 30th April no new singups will be accepted from those countries and also there was a request that all marketing material aimed at those countries be removed. However all existing accounts will remain open, and affiliate commission to those accounts will continue to be paid.
It is thought the move is connected with those countries mentioned looking to reduce or prohibit online gambling within their borders in the future along with the commercial aspect that those mentioned are small in operating value and allows bwin.party to focus their efforts on more lucrative markets such as the US and more recognised and profitable regions such as the UK and Spain.
August 25, 2011
Fortuna targets rival in Polish betting market expansion
European retail and online betting operator Fortuna Entertainment Group said Thursday that it is currently in negotiations to acquire the Polish subsidiary of rival Tipsport, as the company looks to strengthen its hold on the recently liberalised Polish betting market.
Fortuna said that the acquisition of Tipsport PL Sp. z.o.o would expand its Polish betting network which currently comprises 380 branches and a further 190 retail outlets across the country.
Earlier this month, Fortuna filed a formal request with the Polish Ministry of Finance related to the change of shareholders in Tipsport PL. The final decision by the Ministry is expected within three months. No financial details have yet been made available for the proposed transaction.
“We have begun due diligence this week and if there will be no unexpected complications, then nothing will prevent the conclusion of the takeover of Tipsport PL before the end of this September,” said Jiří Bunda, CEO of Fortuna Entertainment Group.
As a result of the acquisition, Fortuna will increase its stake in the Polish fixed-odds betting market by one third and further strengthen its position as the largest fixed-odds betting operator on the Polish market.
“Our strategy is a combination of branch network and online betting,” continued Bunda. “We are engaged in intensive preparations to expand network retail outlets and strengthen our market position so that it will positively impact on online betting in Poland.”
On May 26th, the Polish parliament amended the gambling law to allow online sports betting for locally licensed players. The new regulations also strengthened the Polish Customs Service’s authority in controlling illegal online gambling activities, including monitoring and suspension of money transfers.
The new regulations came into force on July 14th, with parliament maintaining the high 12 per cent tax on betting turnover.
Immediately after the new regulations were introduced, Fortuna’s Polish subsidiary, Fortuna zakłady bukmacherskie, submitted a request to the Ministry of Finance for permission to provide its clients in Poland with online betting.
The Ministry of Finance is expected to approve this within the next few months, the company said.
In its results for the six month period ended June 30th, also released this morning, Fortuna said that revenues from Poland accounted for 15 per cent of total revenues.
Fortuna said that the acquisition of Tipsport PL Sp. z.o.o would expand its Polish betting network which currently comprises 380 branches and a further 190 retail outlets across the country.
Earlier this month, Fortuna filed a formal request with the Polish Ministry of Finance related to the change of shareholders in Tipsport PL. The final decision by the Ministry is expected within three months. No financial details have yet been made available for the proposed transaction.
“We have begun due diligence this week and if there will be no unexpected complications, then nothing will prevent the conclusion of the takeover of Tipsport PL before the end of this September,” said Jiří Bunda, CEO of Fortuna Entertainment Group.
As a result of the acquisition, Fortuna will increase its stake in the Polish fixed-odds betting market by one third and further strengthen its position as the largest fixed-odds betting operator on the Polish market.
“Our strategy is a combination of branch network and online betting,” continued Bunda. “We are engaged in intensive preparations to expand network retail outlets and strengthen our market position so that it will positively impact on online betting in Poland.”
On May 26th, the Polish parliament amended the gambling law to allow online sports betting for locally licensed players. The new regulations also strengthened the Polish Customs Service’s authority in controlling illegal online gambling activities, including monitoring and suspension of money transfers.
The new regulations came into force on July 14th, with parliament maintaining the high 12 per cent tax on betting turnover.
Immediately after the new regulations were introduced, Fortuna’s Polish subsidiary, Fortuna zakłady bukmacherskie, submitted a request to the Ministry of Finance for permission to provide its clients in Poland with online betting.
The Ministry of Finance is expected to approve this within the next few months, the company said.
In its results for the six month period ended June 30th, also released this morning, Fortuna said that revenues from Poland accounted for 15 per cent of total revenues.
June 30, 2011
Polish punters blocked by Ladbrokes
Bookmaker will not apply for Polish licence
Bookmaker Ladbrokes have advised players and affiliates that the company will no longer continue taking bets and registrations from Polish IP Addresses or players who have their country of residence listed as Poland.
New Polish gambling legislation, due to come into force in July 2011, allows for operators to offer sports betting only under a Polish licence, which Ladbrokes doesn't intend applying for as it already operates under a European Union licence.
The bookmaker communicated with existing players requesting them to withdraw all funds from their Ladbrokes account and will settle outstanding affiliate payments towards the end of July 2011.
Bookmaker Ladbrokes have advised players and affiliates that the company will no longer continue taking bets and registrations from Polish IP Addresses or players who have their country of residence listed as Poland.
New Polish gambling legislation, due to come into force in July 2011, allows for operators to offer sports betting only under a Polish licence, which Ladbrokes doesn't intend applying for as it already operates under a European Union licence.
The bookmaker communicated with existing players requesting them to withdraw all funds from their Ladbrokes account and will settle outstanding affiliate payments towards the end of July 2011.
March 11, 2011
Fortuna appoints Stefanek in Poland
Eastern European online sportsbook operator Fortuna Entertainment Group NV has announced that Jan Stefanek has been appointed as the new General Manager of its Fortuna Zaklady Bukmacherskie subsidiary in Poland.
Fortuna is a leading fixed-odds betting operator with outlets across Central and Eastern Europe and revealed that Stefanek has served as Sales Director for its Polish unit since February of 2007 and was appointed to the board of Fortuna Zaklady Bukmacherskie five months later.
The 33-year-old holds a degree in economics and management from the Business University of Ostrava and worked as Projet Manager for Koras Trade for two years beginning on 2000 where he was responsible for constructing a telecommunication network for mobile operator Cesky, which is now known as Vodafone CZ.
“In 2003 and 2005, he was a real estate developer and participated in a number of large real estate development projects in North Moravia,” read a statement from Fortuna.
“Later, in 2006 and 2007, he worked as Project Development Manager with construction company TCHAS. As the General Manager of Fortuna Zaklady Bukmacherskie in Poland, he is replacing Ales Dobes who decided to resign from the post in order to pursue other career opportunities.”
Fortuna is a leading fixed-odds betting operator with outlets across Central and Eastern Europe and revealed that Stefanek has served as Sales Director for its Polish unit since February of 2007 and was appointed to the board of Fortuna Zaklady Bukmacherskie five months later.
The 33-year-old holds a degree in economics and management from the Business University of Ostrava and worked as Projet Manager for Koras Trade for two years beginning on 2000 where he was responsible for constructing a telecommunication network for mobile operator Cesky, which is now known as Vodafone CZ.
“In 2003 and 2005, he was a real estate developer and participated in a number of large real estate development projects in North Moravia,” read a statement from Fortuna.
“Later, in 2006 and 2007, he worked as Project Development Manager with construction company TCHAS. As the General Manager of Fortuna Zaklady Bukmacherskie in Poland, he is replacing Ales Dobes who decided to resign from the post in order to pursue other career opportunities.”
March 10, 2010
Unibet I Liga loses title sponsor
The Polish Football Association (PZPN) and Unibet have suspended their cooperation on sponsoring the Polish 1. Liga.
The reason is the adoption of the new legal act on games of chance, which came into force on 1 January 2010.
"In connection with the adoption of the Act on games of chance, which came into force on 1 January 2010, the Polish Football Association, and the company Unibet have been forced to suspend implementation of the provisions of the sponsorship agreement dated 3 September 2009 (...) " told in a special statement.
Representatives of the Polish Football Association stressed that cooperation with the company Unibet has not been completed, but only suspended.
"It's an important difference. Having explained the legal uncertainty associated with the new law and sponsorship opportunities for sports betting companies, they still intend to continue with our cooperation," said Agnieszka Olejkowska, a spokeswoman for PZPN.
Suspension of cooperation is not only the disappearance of the sponsor's logo on players shirts and stadiums, but also withholding for 18 clubs in the 1. Liga. For some poorer teams this can be a very serious problem in the spring round. Who will compensate for their losses?
"For now, we can not answer this question. We will soon come to a meeting with representatives of the PZPN and Piłkarskiej Ligi Polskiej (organization of the 1. Liga), in which any decisions will be taken." Olejkowska acknowledged.
As stated in the declaration by Unibet, 1. Liga games will return to its old name. In addition, "Unibet 1. League - Summary" will disappear from the TVP Sport magazine, and the number of matches being transmitted can be considerably reduced.
The Polish Ekstraklasa has also been hit hard by this new act, which has seen both Wisla Krakow and KKS Lech Poznan lose their strategic sponsors - which were sport betting companies.
PZPN's suspension of the 1. Liga title sponsor is to take affect only in Poland, with the Unibet I Liga brand name to still be applicable in foreign use.
The reason is the adoption of the new legal act on games of chance, which came into force on 1 January 2010.
Representatives of the Polish Football Association stressed that cooperation with the company Unibet has not been completed, but only suspended.
"It's an important difference. Having explained the legal uncertainty associated with the new law and sponsorship opportunities for sports betting companies, they still intend to continue with our cooperation," said Agnieszka Olejkowska, a spokeswoman for PZPN.
Suspension of cooperation is not only the disappearance of the sponsor's logo on players shirts and stadiums, but also withholding for 18 clubs in the 1. Liga. For some poorer teams this can be a very serious problem in the spring round. Who will compensate for their losses?
"For now, we can not answer this question. We will soon come to a meeting with representatives of the PZPN and Piłkarskiej Ligi Polskiej (organization of the 1. Liga), in which any decisions will be taken." Olejkowska acknowledged.
As stated in the declaration by Unibet, 1. Liga games will return to its old name. In addition, "Unibet 1. League - Summary" will disappear from the TVP Sport magazine, and the number of matches being transmitted can be considerably reduced.
The Polish Ekstraklasa has also been hit hard by this new act, which has seen both Wisla Krakow and KKS Lech Poznan lose their strategic sponsors - which were sport betting companies.
PZPN's suspension of the 1. Liga title sponsor is to take affect only in Poland, with the Unibet I Liga brand name to still be applicable in foreign use.
February 04, 2010
Poland considers censoring internet
In the wake of recent chaos in Australia surrounding a government proposal to filter the internet, Poland is now considering the same. A bill has been drafted that would give the Polish government precise control over the internet, allowing it to deciding just how it may be used by Polish citizens. The government has been looking for ways to curb online gambling for several years, and they seem to have settled on this as the best possible solution.
Under the proposed law, access to several different categories of sites would be blocked, including websites offering certain types of pornographic materials, as well as all online gambling sites in Poland. A register of banned websites would be put together by a variety of agencies, but the management of the filters would fall to the Office of Electronic Communications. Once a new site is added to the filter list, internet service providers would be legally obliged to block the site within six hours.
Polish internet users are enraged, and are denouncing the proposal as blatant censorship. Groups are putting together petitions aimed at President Lech Kaczyński, urging him not to pass the bill. Even Facebook users are joining together in protest.
At the moment, online gambling in Poland is largely unregulated. There is a loose ban on foreign internet casinos, but it is not very strongly enforced – nor can it be, since foreign gambling websites sites are out of reach in terms of jurisdictional boundaries. Local casinos are pushing for the right to offer internet gambling in Poland, but have not made much headway in recent years. It seems Poland understands the potential that online gambling offers, and is trying to push away external competitors in an attempt to keep things local.
No response has come from the European Commission yet, but it is not hard to imagine that they will see this proposal as a breach of international trade laws. At this point, however, it is still too early to predict the outcome of this situation.
Under the proposed law, access to several different categories of sites would be blocked, including websites offering certain types of pornographic materials, as well as all online gambling sites in Poland. A register of banned websites would be put together by a variety of agencies, but the management of the filters would fall to the Office of Electronic Communications. Once a new site is added to the filter list, internet service providers would be legally obliged to block the site within six hours.
Polish internet users are enraged, and are denouncing the proposal as blatant censorship. Groups are putting together petitions aimed at President Lech Kaczyński, urging him not to pass the bill. Even Facebook users are joining together in protest.
At the moment, online gambling in Poland is largely unregulated. There is a loose ban on foreign internet casinos, but it is not very strongly enforced – nor can it be, since foreign gambling websites sites are out of reach in terms of jurisdictional boundaries. Local casinos are pushing for the right to offer internet gambling in Poland, but have not made much headway in recent years. It seems Poland understands the potential that online gambling offers, and is trying to push away external competitors in an attempt to keep things local.
No response has come from the European Commission yet, but it is not hard to imagine that they will see this proposal as a breach of international trade laws. At this point, however, it is still too early to predict the outcome of this situation.
February 01, 2010
Poland’s biggest ski resort fined for gambling ads
Zakopane, located in deep in the Tatra Mountains, is the largest ski resort in all of Poland. The country’s winter capital is facing heavy fines from the Customs Chamber for recently advertising a French online sportsbook called “Bet-at-home”.
During the recent FIS Ski Jumping World Cup events, which took place at Zakopane on the 22nd and 23rd of January, the “Bet-at-home” name and logo appeared on contestants’ outfits as well as on banners hung around the Wielka Krokiew ski jumping venue in Zakopane.
Recent changes to Polish gambling laws came into force on the first of January making this sort of advertising illegal. Zakopane now faces a fine as high as 1.2 million zloty (300,000 euro).
“If we pay the fine, not only won’t the World Cup bring any profit, but it will make losses,” said Lech Nadarkiewicz, the organizer of the World Cup events in Zakopane.
The Tatra Skiing Association is arguing that the advertising contract with the French gambling company was signed before the law changed, while Bet-at-home is arguing that Poland’s new gambling laws violate EU free trade standards.
The new gambling laws, it seems, are causing nothing but trouble. A few weeks ago, representatives of groups that operate online gambling sites in Poland filed a complaint with the European Comission, insisting that the Polish Economy Ministry violated EU procedure by changing their gambling laws without first passing them by Brussels for consideration. All laws related to the internet must be approved, and since part of Poland’s new gambling laws deal with online gambling, Poland may face fines from the EC.
Whatever the future of internet gambling in Poland, it is clear that the European Comission wants to be involved.
During the recent FIS Ski Jumping World Cup events, which took place at Zakopane on the 22nd and 23rd of January, the “Bet-at-home” name and logo appeared on contestants’ outfits as well as on banners hung around the Wielka Krokiew ski jumping venue in Zakopane.
Recent changes to Polish gambling laws came into force on the first of January making this sort of advertising illegal. Zakopane now faces a fine as high as 1.2 million zloty (300,000 euro).
“If we pay the fine, not only won’t the World Cup bring any profit, but it will make losses,” said Lech Nadarkiewicz, the organizer of the World Cup events in Zakopane.
The Tatra Skiing Association is arguing that the advertising contract with the French gambling company was signed before the law changed, while Bet-at-home is arguing that Poland’s new gambling laws violate EU free trade standards.
The new gambling laws, it seems, are causing nothing but trouble. A few weeks ago, representatives of groups that operate online gambling sites in Poland filed a complaint with the European Comission, insisting that the Polish Economy Ministry violated EU procedure by changing their gambling laws without first passing them by Brussels for consideration. All laws related to the internet must be approved, and since part of Poland’s new gambling laws deal with online gambling, Poland may face fines from the EC.
Whatever the future of internet gambling in Poland, it is clear that the European Comission wants to be involved.
November 13, 2009
Wisła and Lech could lose their sponsors
KKS Lech Poznan and Wisla Krakow and may lose their strategic sponsors! This is due to happen if a new law in Poland is passed to force gambling out of the country. The announcement of the very possible law was made on Tuesday, by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
The bill is to be ready by mid-November. One of its objectives is to ban online betting in Poland on the Internet. As a result, people would not be able to organize bets or take part in them. Betting services will also not be able to advertise their firms.
Taxes will drastically increase to issue state services to effectively control and enforce the new law on such betting companies and the people using them. This law is said to be Poland's gambling revolution.
Wisla Krakow and Lech Poznan are therefore facing a serious problem, because their sponsors are both important strategic players in the gambling market, respectively Bet-at-home and BetClic. The two top tier clubs signed contract agreements with the bookmakers this year. In February, the White Star has signed a two-year contract with Bet-at-home while in June the Kolejorz inked a three-year deal with BetClic.
"I can say that this is one of the best sponsorship contracts in the history of Polish football," boasted the Chief of Marketing of Lech, Michal Lipczyński.
"If this law passes it would be catastrophic and a step backwards in terms of the club's finances. All Polish clubs have left now is our sponsoring, and even that is being taken away."
One thing is for certain, if the law comes into force, Lech will have to find another big and well known sponsor as BetClic - a task that will not come easy considering the club's current poor league form.
"We will be forced to withdraw from supporting Lech Poznan." announced Tomasz Wlodarczyk of BetClic.
If Lech do part ways with BetClic, it would also mean Lech's big transfer budget for the winter transfer window would disappear, along with any friendlies scheduled with other BetClic sponsored club. The two other clubs sponsored are Olympique Lyon and Olympique de Marseille, with the latter scheduled to play the Polish outfit in a friendly match next year.
Around Europe, some the world's largest clubs are sponsored by internet bookmakers. Bwin has under his tutelage even giants Real Madrid and AC Milan. In Zurich, during the UEFA Champions League the Spaniards were forced to play without Bwin's logo on the club shirt, because of anti-gambling laws in Switzerland. Similarly the same in Belgium, where Lech Poznan played against Club Brugge in UEFA Europa League action. However, the Polish team unlike Real Madrid were able to play with their bookmaker sponsor logo, but as a result the company had to accept to take all the responsibility themselves.
It should also be mentioned, that the Second Division of Poland is also sponsored by a bookmaking company - Unibet. If the league losses it's sponsor, then it is very possible many of the clubs may fall into serious financial trouble.
The bill is to be ready by mid-November. One of its objectives is to ban online betting in Poland on the Internet. As a result, people would not be able to organize bets or take part in them. Betting services will also not be able to advertise their firms.
Taxes will drastically increase to issue state services to effectively control and enforce the new law on such betting companies and the people using them. This law is said to be Poland's gambling revolution.
"I can say that this is one of the best sponsorship contracts in the history of Polish football," boasted the Chief of Marketing of Lech, Michal Lipczyński.
"If this law passes it would be catastrophic and a step backwards in terms of the club's finances. All Polish clubs have left now is our sponsoring, and even that is being taken away."
One thing is for certain, if the law comes into force, Lech will have to find another big and well known sponsor as BetClic - a task that will not come easy considering the club's current poor league form.
"We will be forced to withdraw from supporting Lech Poznan." announced Tomasz Wlodarczyk of BetClic.
If Lech do part ways with BetClic, it would also mean Lech's big transfer budget for the winter transfer window would disappear, along with any friendlies scheduled with other BetClic sponsored club. The two other clubs sponsored are Olympique Lyon and Olympique de Marseille, with the latter scheduled to play the Polish outfit in a friendly match next year.
Around Europe, some the world's largest clubs are sponsored by internet bookmakers. Bwin has under his tutelage even giants Real Madrid and AC Milan. In Zurich, during the UEFA Champions League the Spaniards were forced to play without Bwin's logo on the club shirt, because of anti-gambling laws in Switzerland. Similarly the same in Belgium, where Lech Poznan played against Club Brugge in UEFA Europa League action. However, the Polish team unlike Real Madrid were able to play with their bookmaker sponsor logo, but as a result the company had to accept to take all the responsibility themselves.
It should also be mentioned, that the Second Division of Poland is also sponsored by a bookmaking company - Unibet. If the league losses it's sponsor, then it is very possible many of the clubs may fall into serious financial trouble.
February 10, 2009
New evidence revealed in Polish football scandal
New evidence has been revealed in connection to the Polish football scandal that remains under investigation. Thanks to Przeglad Sportowy, a member of the investigative team, a list of calls made by Arka Gdynia suspects has joined the case. According to Polskie Radio, the latest evidence shows how detailed the criminal portion of the operation was, which coincides with statements that suggested members of the scandal were acting like part of a “real mafia”.
With the prosecutor’s office now sporting more evidence, the defendants may have a harder time prevailing. Identified as members of the scandal are Ryszard F., (known as 'Fryzjer'), referee head Marian D. and former Polish Football Association board member Henryk Klocek, who allegedly bribed referees using money provided by Arka Gdynia representatives. As indicated by the data on file, the individuals attempted to avoid police involvement by frequently changing their mobile phone cards.
Further data shows phone calls made by various members of the group during one of the fixed matches in question, which resulted in a EUR 1200 bribe provided to the referee by team leader Wiselaw K. Arka Gdynia advanced to the Premier League during the 2008 season, although the investigation has been underway since 2005.
With the prosecutor’s office now sporting more evidence, the defendants may have a harder time prevailing. Identified as members of the scandal are Ryszard F., (known as 'Fryzjer'), referee head Marian D. and former Polish Football Association board member Henryk Klocek, who allegedly bribed referees using money provided by Arka Gdynia representatives. As indicated by the data on file, the individuals attempted to avoid police involvement by frequently changing their mobile phone cards.
Further data shows phone calls made by various members of the group during one of the fixed matches in question, which resulted in a EUR 1200 bribe provided to the referee by team leader Wiselaw K. Arka Gdynia advanced to the Premier League during the 2008 season, although the investigation has been underway since 2005.
December 11, 2008
Polish referee tied to corruption
Top Polish international football referee Grzegorz G. and official Tomasz S. were taken into custody by the Central Anticorruption Bureau (CAB) in relation to the domestic football corruption investigation, Polskie Radio reports.
The public prosecutor's office, located in Wroclaw, of southwest Poland, is investigating the case. Grzegorz G. and official Tomasz S. will stand before this agency.
The referee as been working in the Champions League for three years, and is regarded as one of the top three referees in Poland. The Polish Football Association was considering Grzegorz G. to referee in the 2010 World Cup.
About 170 people from The Polish Football Association have been charged with corruption since there was a lawsuit presented in Wroclaw court December of last year. The corruption investigation has been going on since May of 2005.
The public prosecutor's office, located in Wroclaw, of southwest Poland, is investigating the case. Grzegorz G. and official Tomasz S. will stand before this agency.
The referee as been working in the Champions League for three years, and is regarded as one of the top three referees in Poland. The Polish Football Association was considering Grzegorz G. to referee in the 2010 World Cup.
About 170 people from The Polish Football Association have been charged with corruption since there was a lawsuit presented in Wroclaw court December of last year. The corruption investigation has been going on since May of 2005.
April 17, 2008
Poland to regulate online gaming in the second half of 2008
Reports coming from Poland suggest the country will look to set up the framework to regulate online gaming and betting in the second part of this year.
Marek Kapica, Deputy Minister of Finance, stated publicly yesterday that Poland will have to legalise online gambling. "We cannot control this process anyway and it is better that the budget at least derives some revenues from it," he said.
Poland’s Finance Ministry is reportedly preparing the suitable legislative changes for the second half of this year and will send them “to the European Commission within the required notification procedure".
Marek Kapica, Deputy Minister of Finance, stated publicly yesterday that Poland will have to legalise online gambling. "We cannot control this process anyway and it is better that the budget at least derives some revenues from it," he said.
Poland’s Finance Ministry is reportedly preparing the suitable legislative changes for the second half of this year and will send them “to the European Commission within the required notification procedure".
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