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Poland’s President Karol Nawrocki has blocked plans to raise the tax on betting winnings from 10% to 15%, putting an end to a measure that lawmakers had been preparing since October.
The proposal was part of broader amendments to the Personal Income Tax Act, which aimed to extend higher rates across betting, gaming, lotteries, and prize draws. Exemptions were included for smaller wins under PLN 2,280 ($570) and for certain verticals such as slot machines, card and dice games, bingo, and raffles.
Nawrocki’s veto comes at a time when the government has been searching for new revenue streams, with gambling singled out as a profitable sector in line with wider European taxation trends.
“In my Plan 21, I announced I would not sign any bills that raise taxes for Poles,” the president stated when speaking about the vetoes.
“The goal … is obvious: to close the huge budget hole for which the government is responsible. After 11 months, we have a deficit of over PLN240 billion ($64.8 billion). Instead of tightening the tax system, the government is reaching into citizens’ pockets.”
Push not over yet, but massive breather for Polish operators
The veto has given operators a pause, but the fight is not finished. Under Poland’s legislative process, the Sejm can still override President Karol Nawrocki’s decision if three‑fifths of members vote in favor with at least half of the chamber present. That means the proposed increase in betting winnings could return.
However, for now, licensed operators view the rejection as a relief. Lawyers such as RM Legal’s Marek Plota had warned that higher taxes might drive customers toward unregulated platforms, a risk in a market already crowded with more than 50,000 blacklisted domains.
“Keeping the current tax level helps maintain the attractiveness of licensed products and reduces the risk of players shifting to the grey market,” she wrote on Telegram.
The Ministry of Finance has been working to clamp down on illegal operators, targeting influencers and payment providers tied to offshore brands. With the country’s betting sector remaining highly competitive, featuring STS Holdings leading while both domestic and international companies battle for share, a heavier tax burden on consumers would have added pressure in the industry.
Nawrocki’s move also stands out against the wider European trend, where governments in places like the UK, Netherlands, and France have raised gaming taxes, usually aimed at operators rather than players.
All eyes will now be on 2026 when the administration is expected to revisit Poland’s restrictive online casino rules. Currently, only the state‑owned Totalizator Sportowy is allowed to run an online casino.
