European Commission Notes Objections with “Problematic” Polish Draft Law on Internet Gambling

The European Union has warned local lawmakers that there are still problems with the proposed new Polish gambling laws sent to the European Commission. EC spokesman Fabio Pirotta told media on Friday that “The Commission has studied information sent by Polish authorities” and that “After deep analysis, it had decided to ask for more information in order to investigate whether the bill [is compatible] with EU law or not.” 

Though Pirotta offered little more on the subject, it is widely believed that the proposed Polish law on gaming favors Polish business interests over fellow EU members, requiring providers of any online casino in Poland or Polish poker rooms to found a Polish bank account and to establish the casino/poker room on a Polish-based Internet server. Such a regulation would represent a violation of free trade agreements within the Union, a major stopping point for many gambling draft law proposals.  

Trade association the European Gambling and Betting Association (EGBA) has complained about the Polish draft law, calling it “problematic.” And EGBA secretary-general Sigrid Ligne has stated that some requirements called for in the bill would even represent greater obligation to gambling site providers already legally operating in the EU.  

The earliest the new Polish gambling laws could go into effect would be August 16 of this year, though without approval from the EC, such a move could be legal proceedings at the European Court of Justice.