Legal Betting in Poland

Introduction

The Polish betting sector is strictly regulated to maximise business potential while minimising risk to prevent abuse and protect players, and one that is also regulated rigidly to prevent abuse in the market and ensure that consumers are genuinely protected. Regulated under the Gambling Act 2009, the market expanded to offer both land-based and online gambling. This news-analysis piece focuses on the legal background, main players and land-based shops, types of bet and the wider betting market in Poland, as well as reviewing the obstacles, consumer habits and regulatory moves of late.

Regulations for Betting

The foundation of betting regulation in Poland is found in the Gambling Act of November 19, 2009, as amended significantly in 2017. Sports betting is regulated and this law stipulates an obligation to obtain a license to operate such a business. Offshore gambling is illegal, and those who take part can be fined up to 120 times their day’s pay. The legal gambling age is 18, with all operators required to instigate stringent Know Your Customer (KYC) checks to verify identities and ensure responsible gambling. A 12% turnover tax on betting revenue has been introduced, leading to disputes about its effects on the competitiveness of the market.

Popular Betting Companies

Betting in Poland - Excellent Online Bookmakers Poland's betting market is populated by numerous both domestic and foreign operators, all of whom are operating under a license issued by the Ministry of Finance. The STS (Star-Typ Sport) are the market leaders with broad sports betting services. Another major player, Fortuna, also has both online and physical outlets, and – with competitive odds. This is undoubtedly owed in part to the popularity of brand Betclic, a widely-recognised name that has seen some impressive growth on an international scale. These companies use advertising and sports marketing, especially of football, to retain presence.

Offline Betting Outlets

There are some 1,200 physical betting shops in Poland and they are a mainstay of the country’s betting market, particularly in larger towns and cities. Belonging to companies including STS and Fortuna, they are sited in popular places like shopping centres or in the vicinity of sports stadiums. They are a place where you can make bets and watch live events in a social setting. Tightened red tape - including clearly displayed licences, informed play options - act as a compliance driver and also protect consumers, she said. Even with online growth, brick-and-mortar shops have existing customers into which to tap.

Types of Bets Available

There are a number of options on the Polish Betting market, most of them with a significant emphasis on sports. Single bets are the most prevalent – betting on one outcome. There are accumulator bets as well, the multi-selections that bring higher rewards and attract the veteran bettors. It is more and more popular to bet live, i.e to bet during the action. There are other options, such as handicap betting or over/under bets, along with the more special markets on player performance. Football (like in many other places, just with the added visage of Poland’s passion) in the number one, and then basketball and volley ball (with combat sports close behind).

List of Key Betting Regulations

• Operators must obtain a license from the Polish Ministry of Finance.
• Offshore betting platforms are illegal for Polish residents.
• Bettors must be at least 18 years old, with mandatory age verification.
• Operators face a 12% turnover tax on betting revenue.
• Advertising of betting services is restricted to licensed operators only.
• Operators must report suspicious betting patterns to combat match-fixing.

The Polish Betting Market

Opportunity and restriction are blended in Poland’s betting market. Amendments to the Gambling Act in 2017 have driven online betting growth but have prohibitions on online casinos (apart from one state-run operator) that have constrained gambling diversity. Illegal operations in the “grey zone” continue, where unlicensed platforms are making millions in untaxed profits. No recent articles claim that EU is organizing working group to fight with illegal gambling, and it also proves that Poland is trying to fight with the problem. The blacklist of unlicensed sites, though efficient, is slow in adapting to new illegal operators.

Market Challenges

The 12% turnover tax on gross income can force margins down for operators and discourage new operators in the market. Illegal sites continue to be a problem, sapping the strength of licensed betting companies and the state taxation purse. Consumer trust — especially around data privacy — is another challenge as some bettors are reluctant to share personal information with regulated platforms. These are some of the questions that arise when we think about the balanced regulation for the development with surveillance.

Trends and preferences among the consumers

Polish punters prefer mobile betting apps, live betting and in-play markets are attractive to younger demographic. Football betting — powered by the domestic ekstraklasa and international competitions — reigns. The move into esports betting is not new and reflects broader developments worldwide. Responsible gambling campaigns, which are a legal requirement, feature heavily, with operators providing resources such as deposit limits and self-exclusion in order to encourage more responsible betting.

Table of Betting Market Statistics

Metric	Value
Market Size (2025)	PLN 11 billion
Annual Growth Rate	8.2%
Number of Licensed Operators	23
Offline Betting Shops (est.)	1,200
Online Betting Share	65%

Conclusion

The Polish betting industry is placed under a strict regulatory environment to safeguard players and the overall integrity of the market. The Gambling Act 2009 as revised today offers a regulated market where firms such as STS, Fortuna or Betclic provide a variety of betting opportunities accessible via the Internet or offline. The issues of high taxes and illegal operators remain, but there are signs of progress, with a series of moves against unlicensed businesses. The extent of Poland’s betting market is driven by increased consumer demand and the technological capabilities available to operators, which suggest that with the right balance between regulation and innovation, growth in the market will continue.