Polish Online Gambling Laws Cited by European Commission

Proposed online gambling laws in Poland failed to pass EC scrutiny for compliance with EU regulations.

Poland has become the latest country to receive notice from the European Commission that its proposed laws concerning online gambling are not in compliance with EU trade regulations. The EC released an opinion this week that cited Poland's drafted law as unfairly favoring domestic operators over other online casino companies within the trade alliance.

EU rules allow companies receiving licensing from any member nation to operate across national borders, but the Polish measure would require gaming companies to have both a financial and physical presence in the country. Servers would have to be located in Poland, and operators would have to establish a local corporation.

Further, the Polish proposal would require all transactions to be carried out by banks within Poland.

Complaints by the European Gaming and Betting Association illuminated the issues making the Polish bill problematic.

"This draft law would leave Polish consumers without a fair, secure and competitive online gaming market," said the Secretary General of the EGBA, Sigrid Ligne. "We urge Poland to revise its draft and align it with the requirements of the EU Treaty."

Poland cannot enact the legislation before August 16th. If it then chooses to advance the bill without correcting the noted problems, the EC can bring infringement proceedings againstb the country.