The share of the grey zone in Poland’s online gambling market is systematically declining – from 79.7 percent in 2016 to 29.1 percent in 2024 – according to data from the Ministry of Finance based on estimates by the independent firm H2 Gambling Capital. In 2025, budget revenues from gambling tax reached 6.19 billion zlotys, representing a 17.6 percent increase compared to the previous year. The Ministry emphasizes the effectiveness of the current regulatory model, in which the key role is played by the Register of domains used for offering gambling in violation of the law and the blocking of illegal websites.
Market data indicates that the current regulatory model is functioning effectively. The past year, like previous years, was characterized by the continued development of the legal market, growth in revenues, and budget income from gambling tax. In 2025, these revenues amounted to 6,193.3 million zlotys and, compared to 2024, increased by 17.6 percent, i.e., by 927.1 million zlotys.
– According to Ministry of Finance estimates based on data from the independent company H2 Gambling Capital, which researches global gambling markets, in the years 2016-2024 a continuing downward trend in the overall share of the grey zone in the online gambling market was observed (the share fell during this period from 79.7% to 29.1%) – we read in the Ministry of Finance’s response.
At the same time, the Ministry indicates that both the scale of entries made in the Register and the growing revenues of the legal gambling industry contradict the suggested high estimates of the grey zone in this area.
Domain register and blocking illegal sites as the main tool in the fight
The Register of domains used for offering gambling in violation of the law, available at https://hazard.mf.gov.pl, is currently the main tool through which the National Revenue Administration (KAS) is able to quickly eliminate illegal gambling offerings from cyberspace. The operation of the Register is supported by audit activities conducted by KAS bodies, which verify whether website blocking is being implemented and whether payment service providers are blocking payments to sites whose domains have been entered into the Register.
– The Register of domains used for offering gambling in violation of the law (https://hazard.mf.gov.pl) is currently the main tool that allows us to quickly eliminate illegal gambling offerings from cyberspace – the Ministry emphasizes.
The blocking, within the territory of Poland, of websites using domain names entered into the Register is carried out under the rules set out in legal provisions. According to Art. 15f, para. 5, point 1 of the Gambling Act, telecommunications entrepreneurs providing Internet access services are obliged, within 48 hours of a domain being entered into the Register, to prevent access to the website using that domain name. Typically, the block takes place within a few hours of the domain being entered into the Register.
Ministry monitors solutions in other EU countries, but no legislative work is underway
The Ministry of Finance monitors solutions applied by other European Union member states and conducts active international cooperation in the area of gambling, within the available formats of collaboration. The regulation of the gambling market remains within the competence of member states, as this field is not subject to EU harmonization. Thus, EU countries independently establish the legal framework for conducting activities in this area, taking into account, in particular, their own social, economic, cultural, and moral conditions.
– Gambling markets in individual member states differ significantly, both in terms of the regulatory model and the size and structure of the market itself. The experiences of other countries can be a valuable source of knowledge, but their direct transplantation into the Polish legal system is difficult. National realities must be taken into account, including socio-economic and cultural conditions, applicable regulations, market structure, the nature of participation in gambling, and the need to ensure an adequate level of protection for players and society against the negative consequences of gambling – the Ministry explains.
The conditions for conducting gambling activities within the territory of Poland are set out in the Act of November 19, 2009, on Gambling. One of the main objectives of this legal act is to protect society, including minors, from the harmful effects associated with the phenomenon of gambling. Currently, no legislative work is being carried out at the Ministry of Finance aimed at changing the principles of conducting gambling activities as set out in this Act.
Cooperation with the KNF and methods of combating illegal gambling
The Ministry of Finance and the National Revenue Administration, in the area of counteracting illegal gambling, cooperate with the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF), which, within the framework of its supervision over payment service providers in Poland, undertakes appropriate actions. KAS employs a range of methods and measures appropriate to each case in counteracting gambling crime. The methods used are not made public.
– A compilation of these instruments is necessary. The blocking, within the territory of Poland, of websites using domain names entered into the Register is carried out under the rules set out in legal provisions. Poland is not the only country struggling with the phenomenon of the grey zone in online gambling. The instrument of a list of prohibited domains and website blocking functions in various countries, and KAS continuously monitors these solutions and the actions taken by other gambling market regulators – the Ministry concludes.
The data indicates a systematic improvement in the effectiveness of the fight against illegal online gambling in Poland. The decline in the share of the grey zone from nearly 80 percent in 2016 to below 30 percent in 2024, coupled with the simultaneous increase in budget revenues from gambling tax to over 6 billion zlotys, confirms – according to the Ministry – the effectiveness of the adopted regulatory model. The key tool remains the domain Register, which enables the rapid blocking of illegal websites, and cooperation with the Financial Supervision Authority allows for the effective blocking of payments to entities operating outside the law.
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