Poland to License Online Gambling

Poland is expected to introduce regulations to license and tax online gambling. The regulations are similar to those found in Italy. This is good news for all of Europe as it shows that markets are opening up for online gambling.

The big decision comes after a ruling for online gambling and online poker in the Placanica case by the European Court of Justice in March, 2007.

The court ruled that Italy cannot use criminal law to ban gambling companies licensed in another EU nation from taking bets in Italy. The court said: "National regulations that prohibit the acceptance of bets unless one has a license issued by the relevant member state restrict the freedom of services."

At the present time Polish law prohibits gambling games offered from companies located in other countries. The new laws will help the growing online gambling industry. The costs have become much higher to operate land-based casinos, and there are restrictions on advertising them in the Polish media. Poland does not currently tax online gambling but that will now change. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act forced online gambling sites to seek customers outside of the US market and Europe has been the new target.

The new Polish gambling laws which will regulate and tax online gambling companies will be in effect beginning in September.