Playtech’s iPoker Network has advised its licensees that it will no longer support operations in Poland, adding to the growing exodus of online gambling companies discouraged by a restrictive regulatory regime that permits online casino and poker activity only through the Totalizator Sportowy monopoly and limited sports betting, and a punitively high tax rate of 12 percent of annual turnover.
In iPoker’s case the move was also probably informed by company strategy preferring operations in legal and regulated markets.
Although the Polish government has said it is prepared to review its tax regime, there has been speculation that its lawmakers have deliberately created an unsustainable market in online gambling terms in order to discourage foreign companies from operating there.
Taking a chance on unlicensed operations is likely to be risky…the government has already considered and planned measures such as ISP and financial transaction blocking against unlicensed operators.