Following a scandal that removed four government ministers for unfair lobbying to block a gaming tax increase, the Polish government is intent on changing the country’s gambling laws. According to Prime Minister Donald Tusk, all slots operations in Poland will be closed over the next five years and online gambling will be banned. The only gaming machines allowed will be those located in casinos.

During the five years that slots continue to operate outside casinos, taxation will rise from €180 per month to €480. Last year gambling industry profits are reported to have risen 40% to nearly US$6 billion. Slot machines are presently readily accessible in shopping malls, transport terminals and fast food outlets.

In April 2008 the Polish Deputy Finance Minister commented hat it would be impossible to enforce an online gambling ban and the best way to control the activity would be to regulate and tax it, with government programmes at least benefiting from some of the revenue. At that time it seemed that the government planned to regulate the online gambling industry. However, Tusk has indicated that now a ban on the activity is likely. (E-10.28.09)

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