Poland reverses course, restricts online casino to state lottery monopoly

Poland’s government has reversed course by deciding to restrict its online casino market to a single operator.

On Tuesday, the Polish Council of Ministers approved amendments to the Polish Gambling Act. While Poland previously permitted only online sports betting, it has now authorized casino and poker verticals, although online casino will be restricted to state-owned lottery operator Totalizator Sportowy.

In May, the Ministry of Finance hinted that all Polish-licensed online betting operators would be permitted to add slots to their offering. Instead, the approved amendments grant Totalizator Sportowy control over all “games of chance on the internet.”

The government says this restriction is necessary because slots are “one of the most addictive forms of gambling.” The state monopoly will also be required to implement new responsible gambling policies and al online operators have been forbidden from offering credit to their customers.