Online poker is illegal in Poland under the Gambling Act of 19 November 2009, which established that except for sports betting and promotional lotteries, online gambling operates under a state monopoly (1). Polish gambling activities are strictly regulated by the Ministry of Finance, which oversees licensing and enforcement through the National Revenue Administration and Customs and Fiscal Service (2). The provision of gambling services without appropriate authorization risks criminal and financial liability under Polish law.
Live poker cash games are also prohibited in Poland, with only poker tournaments permitted in licensed casinos under specific conditions (2). The law defines card games including poker as gambling activities requiring proper licensing, and casino operators face harsh restrictions such as being forbidden to publicly share information about games they offer (2). Licensed poker tournament games are subject to a 25% gambling tax on the amount of winnings less the entry fee for participation in the tournament.
"Gambling in Poland is subject to strict supervision of public authorities – it is highly regulated business, and the provision of gambling services a without the appropriate license or in violation of applicable laws risks criminal and financial liability."
Poland has implemented blocking measures against unlicensed gambling websites through amendments to the Gambling Act, creating a blacklist registry for illegal operators (2). Foreign operators without Polish licenses must block access to their websites or face inclusion in the Register of Illegal Gambling Websites (1). Despite these strict regulations, offshore poker sites continue operating with Polish players using digital wallets and cryptocurrencies, though major platforms like PokerStars ceased Polish operations in early 2025.
Source:
https://cms.law/en/int/expert-guides/cms-expert-guide-to-gambling-laws-in-cee/poland
https://www.dudkowiak.com/gambling-laws/
Last updated: 10-10-2025 Disclaimer: This article does not provide legal advice. If you need legal advice, please contact an attorney directly.
