Posted By James Walsh on 07/02/26

Why the Scale of Poland’s Grey Gambling Market Is Once Again Under Discussion

In 2024, the issue of the grey gambling market once again became one of the most widely discussed topics within Poland’s gambling industry. Despite years of regulatory efforts, website blocking measures and stronger financial controls, a significant proportion of players continue to use operators that do not hold a Polish licence.

The situation has been closely analysed by specialists at Rollingslots Casino, as the size of the unlicensed segment directly affects the development of the entire industry. The more users gamble on offshore platforms, the harder it becomes for licensed companies to compete for customers and invest in the development of their products.

The problem of grey market gambling is not unique to Poland. However, the Polish market is frequently cited as an example of a jurisdiction where a high level of regulation coexists with a substantial presence of international operators.

According to various industry estimates, the unlicensed segment may have accounted for between 30% and 50% of online gambling activity during certain periods. Exact figures vary depending on methodology, but most studies agree that the market represents billions of złoty in annual turnover.

One reason lies in the structure of gambling regulation. Poland maintains a relatively strict approach to licensing, advertising and gambling taxation. While these measures help control the market, they can also make it less flexible than some other European jurisdictions.

Illegal gambling also plays a major role. Modern technologies allow international brands to launch new domains quickly, utilise global payment systems and continue reaching Polish players even after websites have been blocked.

For the gambling industry, the consequences are significant. The government loses tax revenue, licensed operators lose customers, and players often find themselves outside the protection mechanisms provided by national legislation.

Table: Key Facts About the Grey Market Debate

 

Why the Issue Has Become So Important

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  growing popularity of international platforms;

  
  


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  intense competition for players;

  
  


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  expansion of digital payments;

  
  


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  regulatory differences between countries;

  
  


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  loss of tax revenue;

  
  


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  the need to increase the attractiveness of the legal market.

  
  

Why Some Players Choose Unlicensed Websites

For most users, moving to an unlicensed platform is rarely about deliberately breaking the rules. Instead, the decision is usually based on a combination of practical factors that players perceive as offering better value.

Player behaviour is one of the most influential factors. Many users compare available conditions and choose the platform that appears most advantageous to them.

Offshore casinos are particularly successful at attracting audiences. These platforms often operate across multiple countries and have significantly larger marketing budgets.

One of the strongest acquisition tools remains bonus offers. Unlicensed brands can provide promotions that substantially exceed the standard offers available within regulated markets. In some cases, bonuses may reach several hundred per cent of a deposit or include loyalty schemes with minimal restrictions.

Payment restrictions also influence decision-making. Some users believe that international platforms offer a wider variety of payment methods, including e-wallets, cryptocurrencies and alternative payment solutions.

Registration speed is another important factor. Many players prefer services where they can begin gambling almost immediately without lengthy verification procedures.

At the same time, consumer trust remains a complex issue. Some users are willing to accept greater risks in exchange for more attractive conditions, while others deliberately choose licensed operators because of stronger data protection and guaranteed payouts.

Experience from the Netherlands, Germany and Sweden suggests that most players move towards the grey market not because legal alternatives are unavailable, but because they are seeking better financial conditions.

How the Grey Market Affects Licensed Operators

For licensed companies, the grey market represents one of the industry's most significant strategic threats. Competition occurs between businesses operating under completely different sets of rules.

Every licensed operator must comply with customer identification requirements, responsible gambling obligations, AML procedures and financial reporting standards. All of these obligations involve substantial costs.

Meanwhile, many international platforms operate outside Poland’s regulatory framework and can devote a larger share of their budgets to marketing and customer acquisition.

This is particularly evident in player acquisition. The cost of attracting new customers within the regulated sector continues to rise. Operators are forced to increase advertising expenditure and invest heavily in product development.

For the regulated market, the issue extends beyond customer losses. The overall effectiveness of the regulatory model declines because part of the market’s turnover remains outside the national economy.

Market competition also creates significant pressure. Unlicensed platforms frequently offer more aggressive registration incentives, bonuses and loyalty programs.

As a result, many licensed operators are strengthening their retention strategies. Offers such as the Rolling Slots bonus are increasingly becoming part of broader customer-retention efforts in an environment of growing competition.

European experience demonstrates that a high channelisation rate is achieved not only through restrictions but also through the attractiveness of the licensed market itself.

Channelisation Rate

Channelisation rate refers to the proportion of players who use licensed operators rather than illegal gambling websites.

The higher this percentage, the more effective market regulation is generally considered to be.

What the Government Loses Because of the Illegal Segment

One of the most significant consequences of grey market growth is reduced tax revenue. When players use operators without a local licence, a substantial share of financial activity falls outside the Polish tax system.

The most visible impact is on tax revenue. Even a small increase in the share of unlicensed gambling can result in the loss of millions of złoty in potential government income.

Gambling taxation also plays an important role. The government invests considerable resources into regulating the industry, but the effectiveness of these efforts diminishes when a large portion of the market remains beyond regulatory control.

This also affects the gaming revenue generated by the licensed sector. The smaller the legal market becomes, the fewer opportunities there are for industry growth within Poland.

From the government's perspective, the distribution of market share between legal and illegal operators has become one of the most important indicators of regulatory success.

This is why the development of legal gambling is viewed as a long-term strategic priority.

Who Benefits and Who Loses from the Grey Market

The grey market affects the entire gambling ecosystem, but the benefits and losses are distributed very unevenly.

The biggest beneficiaries are unlicensed operators. They can launch new products more quickly, use more aggressive marketing methods and avoid many of the costs required of regulated businesses.

For players, the advantages are less straightforward. Larger bonuses and fewer restrictions often come with higher levels of risk.

Gambling compliance is particularly important in this context. Licensed operators invest heavily in customer security, data protection and compliance with financial regulations.

Financial control also plays a key role. Banks and payment providers are far more willing to work with operators that hold official licences and maintain transparent business structures.

For governments, the consequences are almost always negative. The larger the grey market becomes, the less effective regulation is and the lower tax revenues are.

Licensed operators are among the biggest losers. Obtaining and maintaining an operator licence requires substantial investment, while illegal competitors often avoid similar obligations.

Customer security remains another major concern. Many operators invest in advanced protection measures from the moment users complete a Rolling Slots Login or similar account-access procedures.

Can the Grey Market Be Reduced?

Completely eliminating the unlicensed segment is virtually impossible. However, European experience demonstrates that its size can be significantly reduced.

The most important factor is regulatory policy. The most successful systems combine effective oversight with an attractive legal market.

Market transparency also plays a crucial role. Players need to clearly understand operator conditions, bonus rules and withdrawal procedures.

Player protection is equally important. The higher the level of user protection, the more likely players are to choose licensed platforms.

Efforts to combat offshore operators typically involve several tools at once:

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  website blocking;

  
  


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  payment controls;

  
  


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  advertising restrictions;

  
  


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  international cooperation between regulators;

  
  


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  stronger financial monitoring.

  
  

The Netherlands has shown that an effective licensing system can produce a channelisation rate exceeding 80–90%. Germany’s results have been more modest, but the overall trend remains similar.

For Poland, the key objective is creating conditions where players naturally prefer licensed platforms.

What the Polish Market Could Look Like in the Coming Years

Between 2028 and 2030, Poland’s gambling market is likely to continue evolving towards stronger oversight and greater transparency.

The online casino segment is expected to remain one of the main growth drivers. At the same time, competition between licensed and international operators for player attention will intensify.

In an optimistic scenario, Poland could significantly improve its channelisation rate through stronger payment controls, better services and more effective regulation.

In a more conservative scenario, the grey market will remain significant, although its influence may gradually decline thanks to better monitoring technologies and international cooperation.

Independent reviews and market analysis will become increasingly important. This is why resources such as a Rolling Slots review help players compare operators and make more informed decisions.

Responsible gambling initiatives will also have a growing impact. Gambling-control tools are becoming standard across most European markets.

User experience is becoming increasingly influential as well. Real customer feedback, including Rolling Slots testimonials, is often becoming a deciding factor when choosing an operator.

The most likely scenario for Poland is a gradual strengthening of the licensed sector without the complete disappearance of the grey market. The government will continue expanding oversight, operators will keep investing in security and service quality, and players will benefit from a more transparent and protected gambling environment.

Many users continue following industry developments through specialist resources such as rollingslotspolska.com.