Gambling appeared in Poland as a legal and civilized business, which has come a long way. The year 1768 can be considered as the beginning of this path when the first lottery was launched.
At that time, lotteries were regulated by a parliamentary act that defined the tax aspects of such entertainment. The lottery was held several times a month on Krasinski Square, and by 1839 huge crowds were gathering there.
Poland is one of the Eastern European countries where a so-called “kasyno legalne w Polsce” can fully be enjoyed. However, it is not as simple as it may seem at first glance – there are many peculiarities and nuances in this area.
History of Gambling in Poland
The first land-based casinos in Poland were established in the health resort of Sopot around 1923. Not long after, a hippodrome was built in the city where horse races were watched and bets were placed. In the 1930s, a lottery called the Polish Monopoly Lottery appeared.
However, due to the war with Germany, the gambling business was closed for some time. After 1956, the country underwent significant changes, and the institutions of lottery, hippodrome, and casinos became state property.
Slot machines were very popular with the public, and lotteries attracted almost the entire Polish population. Several companies operated the machines, and their monopoly lasted until the 1980s.
The first act on betting and gaming was not signed into law until 1992. Some legislation is still in effect today, but the primary document is the Gambling Act, which was approved in 2009.
Gambling in Poland Today
The land-based gambling market in Poland is represented by nine casinos in Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, and other cities. There are also gambling and bingo halls, which are separate from the large casinos.
The most popular gambling market in Poland is the betting segment. Sports betting is quite popular and can be placed both online and offline. Poland has a state-owned sports betting operator, Totalizator Sportowy, and several private bookmaking companies.
Which Games Are Permitted in Poland
The following types of gambling are legally regulated in Poland: casino games (roulette, blackjack, poker, slot machines, bingo, baccarat, etc.), betting in betting shops, and lotteries.
Some of them have additional restrictions. For example, poker can only be played in tournaments organized in a casino with at least 10 players.
There is also a distinction between the types of permitted land-based games and real-money scratch cards. The physical sector includes casinos, betting shops and bingo halls. The online sector includes only betting and lotteries, which are subject to state monopoly.
Problems in the Polish Gambling Market
Due to the strict regulations, complicated licensing procedures and high taxation, gambling in Poland have its own grey market, which is a severe problem. This particularly applies to the online sector.
There are quite a few foreign casinos and betting shops on the Polish Internet. The Ministry of Finance tries to keep a close eye on lawbreakers, imposing heavy fines and blocking their websites. However, the situation remains relatively stable.
Conclusion
Poland, in general, is rich in history, but the history of casino development in the country deserves special attention.
The legalization of gambling in Poland was an excellent opportunity for the government to increase tax revenues to the budget and create high-quality gambling products for the citizens.
But all of this is true under one condition: players must remember that gambling should be approached responsibly.
