Poland could become the latest country in their region to implement a ban of online gambling. Russia and Ukraine have already banned online gambling in the area.
Lobbying scandal has played a role
Poland Prime Minister Donald Tusk is responding to some recent controversies in his nation involving the gambling industry. Last month, four ministers in Poland’s cabinet resigned over alleged influences from gambling companies. Poland’s Minister of Sport, Miroslaw Drzewiecki, resigned his post due to allegations that gambling interests were influencing his decision on some pending legislation. Drzewiecki’s name showed up on some transcripts tied to an anti-corruption investigation known as Operation Blackjack.
It didn’t take long for other names to surface in the scandal. Andrzej Czuma, Minister Of Justice, and Grzegorz Schetyna, Interior Minister and Deputy Prime Minister also soon resigned along with another member of the nation’s cabinet. All four of the ministers were alleged to be under the influence of gambling companies that didn’t want to pay taxes that would have been associated with some pending legislation.
Many observers feel that the scandal has played a role in Tusk’s enhanced tough stance on gambling.
Sweeping reforms could be coming
Tusk is trying to get some vast legislation in place related to gambling in his country. The proposal would go beyond an online gambling ban to also eliminate slot machines outside of casinos along with higher taxes for gambling companies in the country. In addition, the legislation would ban advertising for any games of chance.
“We are proposing to ban a significant part of the gambling sector,” said Tusk, We want to see this market shrink by 20 to 25 percent per year. Over the course of five years this kind of gambling should disappear from Poland.”
The legislation would gradually eliminate slot machines over a five-year period. During this period, taxes on the “one-armed bandits” would be increased from 180 euros a month to 480 euros a month. There are over 20,000 slot machines in Poland. The “one-armed bandits” are typically found in bus stations, train stations, shopping malls and fast food restaurants.
Tusk is also concerned about the potential threat of gambling on young people. The new legislation would make it illegal for anyone 17 years of age or younger to gamble.
The online gambling ban portion of the legislation will attempt to cover many different areas. The new laws could enable Poland to track connections between internet providers in the nation and those of international wagering websites. The legislation would also closely monitor online money transfer providers.
Tusk doesn’t have to look far to see the dangers of online gambling bans. Russia’s recent anti-gambling legislations have seem to have done little to stop wagering in the country. Many loopholes in Russia’s new laws have been exploited. The crackdowns appear to do more harm than good in the long run. Tusk could generate almost endless revenue for his country by supporting gambling but his new reforms will likely be doomed in the years to come due to the continued growth and popularity of gambling.
It sounds completely crazy, OTT and big-brotherish. Are Poles missing being part of the old communist system? This is completely against everything that the E.U stands for (free trade between member nations, similar rights for all residents) and they should be forced out if they refuse acces to other E.U companies sites, spy on their public and dictate who can sponsor their football teams. Sign the petition at http://www.right2bet.net if you are in agreement!
I have had a look at the website mentioned and I think this type of initiatives are great at least to raise awareness about the fact that politicians are not listening to consumers wishes, thus consumers need to raise their voices.
The information provided can end with some misunderstandings as regards the gambling sector and there are several tools as the MEP one to email politicians on the subject. I recommend the site to everyone who believes in an open and single European market not only in the gambling sector but within any economic sector.