Poland ditches plans to increase tax on gambling winnings
Poland President Karol Nawrocki has rejected calls to raise gambling taxes from 10% to 15% in a major reversal of a policy announced earlier this year.
The proposed amendment to the Personal Income Tax Act, backed by Parliament, sought to boost revenue by increasing the levy on winnings from betting, lotteries, gaming and prize draws to 15% starting in 2026, part of wider efforts to address fiscal shortfalls.
Nawrocki also veto’d bills proposing increased taxes on alcohol and artificially sweetened drinks, with less arbitrary taxes one of the pillars of his election campaign, which saw him rise to the top job in August.
In vetoing the measure, Nawrocki argued that it would place an undue burden on citizens and contravene his earlier pledge not to support tax hikes, insisting the government should pursue more sustainable fiscal strategies.
The decision has drawn applause from iGaming industry stakeholders who say maintaining the 10% rate preserves competitiveness in the regulated market and helps deter shifts toward unregulated platforms.
Critics of the proposed gambling tax hike pointed to other markets like the United Kingdom, where offshore gamblings sites and bookmakers have made a comeback, as locally licensed sites grapple with over-zealous regulation and high tax.
Polish Parliament still has the option to override the presidential veto if a sufficient majority votes in favour, leaving the debate on gambling taxation unresolved.
Poland residents can legally bet on sports as long as the betting sites they wager with are licensed, but online casinos are yet to be legalised, despite lawmakers indicating a willingness to regulate the industry.
