Illegal online casino market in Poland generated nearly PLN 26 billion last year

[The Buzz]

Poland's illegal online casino market thrived in 2023, generating nearly PLN 26 billion in turnover and over PLN 1 billion in revenue for illegal operators.

This shadow market, according to an EY report commissioned by the Association for the Elimination of the Shadow Gambling Sector, has cost the Polish government PLN 360 million in lost revenue over the past five years. The report highlights the negative economic impact of these unregulated operators who bypass taxes and contribute to the state's financial losses.

From the Warsaw Business Journal:

In addition to revenue, the size of the illegal market in Poland is also described by turnover, i.e. the sum of the stakes placed by players. According to EY experts, the turnover recorded by illegal operators in 2023 amounted to about 25.9 billion, it was also noted.

In the online casino market in Poland, the grey zone refers to games organized outside the casino belonging to the state monopoly - Totalizator Sportowy. Illegal online casino operators offer games to Polish players despite the ban on such activities by private entities, it was explained.

"Our analyses show that the methods used so far by state authorities to combat entities using illegal practices and deriving multi-million profits from participating in the grey zone of online casinos are far from effective. In this respect, it is necessary to ensure that the tools are modernised and adapted to the methods used by entities in the grey zone. Models for effective combat are provided by many European Union countries that have properly regulated this market," commented the president of the "Graj Legalnie" Association, Zdzisław Kostrubała, quoted in the press release.

Read more here: https://inwestycje.pl/biznes/nielega...obrotu-w-2023/

[Sherlock]

The "journalists" are as big whores as those quoted "experts". I have no idea about Polish grey market, it can be 25.9000000 B Zloty exactly, or more or less. But nobody knows how those experts make up the numbers and be sure they just say some number. Because journalists nowadays do not ask about methodology. They simply repeat whatever tells them some talking head.

I do not think that it makes sense to repeat those numbers. I understand GPWA needs a content, but my cat will likely say more accurate estimation, because my cat is biased only towards fresh meat.

[Neustadt]

Totally with you on this. These numbers get tossed out like they’re fact, but no one questions where they came from. Journalists just repeat whatever they’re told. Honestly, whether it’s PLN 26 billion or not, it feels like the real issue is how bad the system is at stopping illegal operators.

[kolia]

This shadow economy not only harms the state's finances but also undermines consumer protection, as players engage with unlicensed platforms outside of legal oversight. Addressing this issue is crucial for safeguarding both the economy and the public

[Sherlock]

This shadow economy not only harms the state's finances but also undermines consumer protection, as players engage with unlicensed platforms outside of legal oversight. Addressing this issue is crucial for safeguarding both the economy and the public

This is again a bs. Show me hard data, where unlicensed operators are more unfair than licensed or say nothing.

I also do not have the hard data, just my experience as a progambler. I have bad experiences with both. But worse with licenses casinos and sportsbooks than those in banana republics. Those licensed casinos use the paperwork as excuse not to pay. For example Unibet would rob me for 2K EUR and they paid me only because of affiliate manager. WillHill stole a lot. Even bet365 stole some small money.

So for public is best DYOR and bet offshore; or at least this was true when I was betting and now it is probably more valid than before, because the KYC and background checks will surely be used to not pay by many.

As for state finances. Good Citizens who support their corrupted governments, wars, nonsensical allocation of sources of socialist states are awesome. But as economist I have such a feeling that even money that end by the worst Russian mafia is used more wisely and effectively than tax money. But that is just opinion against opinion.

As for safety for punters: only SBR helped me sometimes to recover money. But so called licensed bookies do not bother to communicate there.