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Online Poker In Poland May Be Restricted

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In January 2017, Poland’s new gambling laws come into effect, but a draft amendment may mean that online poker will be restricted to a state monopoly provider.

The text of the amendment in Polish is available here.

The amendment extends the range of online games which will be permitted, and allows for live tournaments to be played outside bricks and mortar casinos, but it also establishes a new state monopoly which will operate certain gambling activities.

The amendment has been notified to the EU Commission which must agree that it is in compliance with EU treaties before Poland will be authorized to implement the new law.
Gaming lawyers: Online poker restricted to state monopoly

Early enthusiasm that the new laws would for the first time allow online poker is now tempered by the opinion of online gaming lawyers that offshore operators like PokerStars, 888 and partypoker will not be allowed to apply for licenses to enter the market.

In an article for law firm DLA Piper published in late July, Anna Wietrzynska states that “online poker is to be subject to the aforesaid State monopoly.”

An analysis by Dominika Mizielinska from K&L Gates LLP makes the same interpretation:

“The Draft Amendment addresses the demands of poker players by allowing organization of tournaments outside casinos and without a casino license, based on a prior notification to the Customs Office and tournament rules approved by the Minister of Finance. Also, playing poker online will become legal if organized by a state-owned company.”

There may be ambiguity in the text of the law

There are two elements in the text referring to internet poker which may create doubt as to the ultimate intention of the government.

Google translate is not great at handling Polish, so for the benefit of those with better Polish skills than OPR, the legal text on page 14, paragraph 3, reads:

“Zmiana przepisów w odniesieniu do gry poker polega na umożliwieniu organizacji gry poza kasynami gry, zarówno przez podmioty posiadające koncesję na prowadzenie kasyna gry, jak i inne. Możliwa stanie się także gra w pokera za pośrednictwem sieci Internet.”

An approximate translation is:

“Changing the rules for playing poker is to enable the organization of the game outside casino games, both by entities licensed to conduct casino games and others. Poker games can also be offered via the internet.”

The implication of the text is that licensees may offer online poker. The second critical mention is at the end of the same section:

“Gra w pokera za pośrednictwem sieci Internet, podobnie jak inne gry kasynowe, będzie mogła być urządzana przez podmiot wykonujący monopol państwa.”

Which translates roughly as:

“The game of poker via the Internet, like other casino games, can be operated by the entity performing the state monopoly.”

The text doesn’t say “must be” operated by the state monopoly, only “będzie mogła”—“It can be” operated by the state monopoly.
State monopoly will use third party providers

The state monopoly will have the responsibility for running gaming machines in gaming machine venues. The law explicitly states that this task can be outsourced to third party providers, but does not state whether or not online poker could be similarly outsourced.

If so, there could be an opportunity for one of the major providers to bid for the contract. This would not be too dissimilar to the situation in Delaware where 888 provides the poker software for all three licensees.

The Polish solution would presumably have no similar licensees and either brand the game using the state monopoly’s name or allow the contractor to use its own branding.
The EU Commission may object to the state monopoly concept

Within the text of the amendment, the government goes to some length to provide legal EU precedents for its new proposals on ISP blocking and financial transaction blocking.

It quotes several EU Court of Justice (CJEU) cases which allow restrictive gambling laws when they can be proved to be in the public interest.

However, the text is not so robust when it comes to justifying the establishment of a state monopoly. The existence of a state gambling monopoly in Sweden is one of the points of dispute that has seen the EU Commission launch legal proceedings against Sweden.

Poland will need to present a thorough case for its state monopoly for it to receive EU approval.

The process of submitting the amendments to the EU Commission gives other EU member states the opportunity to object to any provisions that they believe contravene EU treaties.

EU member, Malta, is almost inevitably going to object to the state monopoly concept. In the past it has objected to any restrictions that individual nations have introduced that water down the authority of the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).

Malta contends that a gaming license issued by the MGA should be valid for operators to offer online gambling in all EU member states. They have largely lost the argument politically, but several CJEU cases which are under way may give them a legal victory.
Losing the Polish market would be a blow to poker operators

Poland has a population of over 38 million, roughly half a million people fewer than California. GDP per capita is less than $13,500, less than a quarter of the income in California, but as an EU member state, Poland can be expected to converge its income with other EU members over time.

In both the short and long term, Poland is an attractive market. Most of the major operators have not withdrawn from the Polish market, but when the new laws go into force in January next year, it is extremely likely that they will decide to exit the market.

When Amaya reported its poor Q3 numbers last year, and restated its full year revenue expectations, it pointed to weakness in Greece (population 11 m
Join: 2006/12/07 Messages: 29893
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Manne wrote:

In January 2017, Poland’s new gambling laws come into effect, but a draft amendment may mean that online poker will be restricted to a state monopoly provider.

The text of the amendment in Polish is available here.

The amendment extends the range of online games which will be permitted, and allows for live tournaments to be played outside bricks and mortar casinos, but it also establishes a new state monopoly which will operate certain gambling activities.

The amendment has been notified to the EU Commission which must agree that it is in compliance with EU treaties before Poland will be authorized to implement the new law.
Gaming lawyers: Online poker restricted to state monopoly

Early enthusiasm that the new laws would for the first time allow online poker is now tempered by the opinion of online gaming lawyers that offshore operators like PokerStars, 888 and partypoker will not be allowed to apply for licenses to enter the market.

In an article for law firm DLA Piper published in late July, Anna Wietrzynska states that “online poker is to be subject to the aforesaid State monopoly.”

An analysis by Dominika Mizielinska from K&L Gates LLP makes the same interpretation:

“The Draft Amendment addresses the demands of poker players by allowing organization of tournaments outside casinos and without a casino license, based on a prior notification to the Customs Office and tournament rules approved by the Minister of Finance. Also, playing poker online will become legal if organized by a state-owned company.”

There may be ambiguity in the text of the law

There are two elements in the text referring to internet poker which may create doubt as to the ultimate intention of the government.

Google translate is not great at handling Polish, so for the benefit of those with better Polish skills than OPR, the legal text on page 14, paragraph 3, reads:

“Zmiana przepisów w odniesieniu do gry poker polega na umożliwieniu organizacji gry poza kasynami gry, zarówno przez podmioty posiadające koncesję na prowadzenie kasyna gry, jak i inne. Możliwa stanie się także gra w pokera za pośrednictwem sieci Internet.”

An approximate translation is:

“Changing the rules for playing poker is to enable the organization of the game outside casino games, both by entities licensed to conduct casino games and others. Poker games can also be offered via the internet.”

The implication of the text is that licensees may offer online poker. The second critical mention is at the end of the same section:

“Gra w pokera za pośrednictwem sieci Internet, podobnie jak inne gry kasynowe, będzie mogła być urządzana przez podmiot wykonujący monopol państwa.”

Which translates roughly as:

“The game of poker via the Internet, like other casino games, can be operated by the entity performing the state monopoly.”

The text doesn’t say “must be” operated by the state monopoly, only “będzie mogła”—“It can be” operated by the state monopoly.
State monopoly will use third party providers

The state monopoly will have the responsibility for running gaming machines in gaming machine venues. The law explicitly states that this task can be outsourced to third party providers, but does not state whether or not online poker could be similarly outsourced.

If so, there could be an opportunity for one of the major providers to bid for the contract. This would not be too dissimilar to the situation in Delaware where 888 provides the poker software for all three licensees.

The Polish solution would presumably have no similar licensees and either brand the game using the state monopoly’s name or allow the contractor to use its own branding.
The EU Commission may object to the state monopoly concept

Within the text of the amendment, the government goes to some length to provide legal EU precedents for its new proposals on ISP blocking and financial transaction blocking.

It quotes several EU Court of Justice (CJEU) cases which allow restrictive gambling laws when they can be proved to be in the public interest.

However, the text is not so robust when it comes to justifying the establishment of a state monopoly. The existence of a state gambling monopoly in Sweden is one of the points of dispute that has seen the EU Commission launch legal proceedings against Sweden.

Poland will need to present a thorough case for its state monopoly for it to receive EU approval.

The process of submitting the amendments to the EU Commission gives other EU member states the opportunity to object to any provisions that they believe contravene EU treaties.

EU member, Malta, is almost inevitably going to object to the state monopoly concept. In the past it has objected to any restrictions that individual nations have introduced that water down the authority of the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).

Malta contends that a gaming license issued by the MGA should be valid for operators to offer online gambling in all EU member states. They have largely lost the argument politically, but several CJEU cases which are under way may give them a legal victory.
Losing the Polish market would be a blow to poker operators

Poland has a population of over 38 million, roughly half a million people fewer than California. GDP per capita is less than $13,500, less than a quarter of the income in California, but as an EU member state, Poland can be expected to converge its income with other EU members over time.

In both the short and long term, Poland is an attractive market. Most of the major operators have not withdrawn from the Polish market, but when the new laws go into force in January next year, it is extremely likely that they will decide to exit the market.

When Amaya reported its poor Q3 numbers last year, and restated its full year revenue expectations, it pointed to weakness in Greece (population 11 m

Well it wont hurt pokerstar, 888 and even partypoker that a lot. Poland player have to adjust for the mean time. It's a big lost for them but it will surely be good for their government since it will add money to their country.
Join: 2016/03/13 Messages: 53
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Casinodepositors wrote:

Well it wont hurt pokerstar, 888 and even partypoker that a lot. Poland player have to adjust for the mean time. It's a big lost for them but it will surely be good for their government since it will add money to their country.

I don't think they will restrictions online poker. I mean what's the point of it??
Join: 2006/12/11 Messages: 1758
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mike1 wrote:

I don't think they will restrictions online poker. I mean what's the point of it??

I think, this will be difficult for poland poker player.
Join: 2017/01/27 Messages: 1
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domino6 wrote:

I think, this will be difficult for poland poker player.

A very awesome blog post. We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post. I was exactly searching for.
Join: 2017/02/25 Messages: 1
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poker6 wrote:

A very awesome blog post. We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post. I was exactly searching for.

Bad news for Poland.....
Join: 2017/02/08 Messages: 9
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Yeah, I can understand it since a lot of European countries restricts online gambling. Lucky me I live on the other side of the world and I like that the U.S loves to gamble, especially when the casino provides good offers. Under the word good offers, I mean reputable standing on the casino market and also fast and secure payment options.
Join: 2020/04/17 Messages: 7
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I don't see any sense in their actions. Many people know how to use a computer, so they can easily get around this ban. The recent experience of the cis countries with the blocking of various services has proven that it will not be difficult for people to enter blocked services. For example, even if they block absolutely all casinos.
Join: 2020/10/13 Messages: 1
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Join: 2020/10/20 Messages: 1
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Manne wrote:

In January 2017, Poland’s new gambling laws come into effect, but a draft amendment may mean that online poker will be restricted to a state monopoly provider.

The text of the amendment in Polish is available here.

The amendment extends the range of online games which will be permitted, and allows for live tournaments to be played outside bricks and mortar casinos, but it also establishes a new state monopoly which will operate certain gambling activities.

The amendment has been notified to the EU Commission which must agree that it is in compliance with EU treaties before Poland will be authorized to implement the new law.
Gaming lawyers: Online poker restricted to state monopoly

Early enthusiasm that the new laws would for the first time allow online poker is now tempered by the opinion of online gaming lawyers that offshore operators like PokerStars, 888 and partypoker will not be allowed to apply for licenses to enter the market.

In an article for law firm DLA Piper published in late July, Anna Wietrzynska states that “online poker is to be subject to the aforesaid State monopoly.”

An analysis by Dominika Mizielinska from K&L Gates LLP makes the same interpretation:

“The Draft Amendment addresses the demands of poker players by allowing organization of tournaments outside casinos and without a casino license, based on a prior notification to the Customs Office and tournament rules approved by the Minister of Finance. Also, playing poker online will become legal if organized by a state-owned company.”

There may be ambiguity in the text of the law

There are two elements in the text referring to internet poker which may create doubt as to the ultimate intention of the government.

Google translate is not great at handling Polish, so for the benefit of those with better Polish skills than OPR, the legal text on page 14, paragraph 3, reads:

“Zmiana przepisów w odniesieniu do gry poker polega na umożliwieniu organizacji gry poza kasynami gry, zarówno przez podmioty posiadające koncesję na prowadzenie kasyna gry, jak i inne. Możliwa stanie się także gra w pokera za pośrednictwem sieci Internet.”

An approximate translation is:

“Changing the rules for playing poker is to enable the organization of the game outside casino games, both by entities licensed to conduct casino games and others. Poker games can also be offered via the internet.”

The implication of the text is that licensees may offer online poker. The second critical mention is at the end of the same section:

“Gra w pokera za pośrednictwem sieci Internet, podobnie jak inne gry kasynowe, będzie mogła być urządzana przez podmiot wykonujący monopol państwa.”

Which translates roughly as:

“The game of poker via the Internet, like other casino games, can be operated by the entity performing the state monopoly.”

The text doesn’t say “must be” operated by the state monopoly, only “będzie mogła”—“It can be” operated by the state monopoly.
State monopoly will use third party providers

The state monopoly will have the responsibility for running gaming machines in gaming machine venues. The law explicitly states that this task can be outsourced to third party providers, but does not state whether or not online poker could be similarly outsourced.

If so, there could be an opportunity for one of the major providers to bid for the contract. This would not be too dissimilar to the situation in Delaware where 888 provides the poker software for all three licensees.

The Polish solution would presumably have no similar licensees and either brand the game using the state monopoly’s name or allow the contractor to use its own branding.
The EU Commission may object to the state monopoly concept

Within the text of the amendment, the government goes to some length to provide legal EU precedents for its new proposals on ISP blocking and financial transaction blocking.

It quotes several EU Court of Justice (CJEU) cases which allow restrictive gambling laws when they can be proved to be in the public interest.

However, the text is not so robust when it comes to justifying the establishment of a state monopoly. The existence of a state gambling monopoly in Sweden is one of the points of dispute that has seen the EU Commission launch legal proceedings against Sweden.

Poland will need to present a thorough case for its state monopoly for it to receive EU approval.

The process of submitting the amendments to the EU Commission gives other EU member states the opportunity to object to any provisions that they believe contravene EU treaties.

EU member, Malta, is almost inevitably going to object to the state monopoly concept. In the past it has objected to any restrictions that individual nations have introduced that water down the authority of the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA).

Malta contends that a gaming license issued by the MGA should be valid for operators to offer online gambling in all EU member states. They have largely lost the argument politically, but several CJEU cases which are under way may give them a legal victory.
Losing the Polish market would be a blow to poker operators

Poland has a population of over 38 million, roughly half a million people fewer than California. GDP per capita is less than $13,500, less than a quarter of the income in California, but as an EU member state, Poland can be expected to converge its income with other EU members over time.

In both the short and long term, Poland is an attractive market. Most of the major operators have not withdrawn from the Polish market, but when the new laws go into force in January next year, it is extremely likely that they will decide to exit the market.

When Amaya reported its poor Q3 numbers last year, and restated its full year revenue expectations, it pointed to weakness in Greece (population 11 m

How can you restrict something you earn by law?
Join: 2020/10/23 Messages: 5
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And I think there is nothing to do with the opinions that gambling is illegal. Everyone has their own opinion and u can not contradict them.
Join: 2020/10/23 Messages: 5
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kingsizexx wrote:

And I think there is nothing to do with the opinions that gambling is illegal. Everyone has their own opinion and u can not contradict them.

You are right. There is nothing to do with the opinions that gambling is illegal. Everyone has their own opinion and u can not contradict them. Also I can't tell how stupid is telling to everyone that you are right and the world is not right, because everyone lives in his own right reality. Well, myself, I think these slot sites are quite unstable in matter of winnings and law, aswell as withdrawing money. There just few sites that really allow you to withdraw money, but for most of them, they try to screw you up, but that is not illegal, that's just how they work.
Join: 2020/04/17 Messages: 7
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Join: 2020/11/07 Messages: 1
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Wow Interesting. I agree with the people here. Now many people use the computer well and can easily avoid this ban. Especially people who like to play and it brings them some money. I know many people who almost built their careers on this. Just by winning and collecting money. And then the money was invested in some business. During quarantine, people will simply find a quick solution to avoid the ban. I'm just going to play online poker . The Internet is a very powerful thing, and it's strange how they haven't figured it out yet.
Join: 2021/03/15 Messages: 1
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To be honest, if a separate casino, even an online casino, has to get a license from a state monopoly to host poker games (and other games too), users will necessarily be charged more percent of the winnings, because it was not cheap to sponsor it anyway. It is a pity, of course, that such an inconvenience is created, but this is a good incentive to choose normal bookmakers and normal sites with a more realistic option for winning on the Internet, isn't it? I understand that such bills are not a problem at all! It's cool when you always win and don't really depend on the state, dudes 😎
Join: 2021/04/19 Messages: 1
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