In 2025, Poland began an active debate over a possible increase in the tax on gambling winnings from 10% to 15%. Formally, the proposal represents an increase of just 5 percentage points; however, in relative terms, the tax burden would rise by 50%. For a market that generates billions of złoty in turnover each year, such a change could affect virtually every participant in the industry.

Analysts at Rollingslots Casino have examined the situation closely, as any changes to tax legislation affect not only players but also operators, bookmakers, lotteries and the affiliate sector.

The main reason behind the discussion is the government’s budget policy. Like many European Union countries, Poland regularly reviews ways to increase public revenue. Against the backdrop of a growing gambling industry, the government sees gambling tax as one of the tools for boosting state income without introducing new levies on businesses.

Another contributing factor is the continued growth of the gaming sector. In recent years, Poland’s gambling market has demonstrated steady expansion. The number of users of online services continues to increase, mobile betting is becoming more popular, and digital products are gradually accounting for a larger share of the industry.

The proposed tax increase also fits within the broader fiscal policy trends seen across Europe. Many EU countries have already reviewed tax rates for certain gambling segments, seeking to strike a balance between government revenue and the competitiveness of the regulated market.

Supporters of the reform argue that the additional revenue could help fund public programs and strengthen oversight of the industry. Critics, however, warn that an excessive increase in the tax burden could reduce the attractiveness of the regulated sector.

For Poland, the challenge is particularly complex. The government must simultaneously increase budget revenues while maintaining the competitiveness of the licensed market amid growing competition from international operators.

Table: Key Details of the Proposed Tax Reform

What Will Change for Players if the Tax Increases from 10% to 15%?

For the average player, a higher tax means a smaller final payout after tax deductions. While the difference may appear minor for small wins, it becomes much more noticeable when larger sums are involved.

For example, on winnings of 10,000 zł, the difference between a 10% and 15% tax rate amounts to 500 zł. For winnings of 100,000 zł, the difference reaches 5,000 zł. For regular players, these amounts become an important factor when considering their gambling strategy.

The change could influence player behaviour. Some users may pay closer attention to stake sizes and potential post-tax returns. This is particularly relevant for players who regularly participate in tournaments, major prize draws and sports betting markets.

The reform may also affect consumer spending. When net winnings decrease, some players may reduce their gambling budgets or become more selective in choosing entertainment options.

The issue of tax burden is also significant. Although the increase is only five percentage points, the relative rise in taxation reaches 50%. This figure is frequently highlighted during discussions about the reform.

Much will depend on the final version of the gambling legislation. In several European countries, various exemptions, thresholds and tax structures help soften the impact of similar reforms.

Table: Impact of Different Tax Rates on Winnings

How This Could Affect Casinos and Bookmakers

Although the tax is formally deducted from player winnings, its effects quickly spread throughout the market. When players receive less money after taxation, operators are often forced to adjust their customer acquisition strategies.

For online casinos, loyalty programs and bonuses become increasingly important. This is why offers such as the Rolling Slots bonus can serve as a tool to offset some of the additional costs borne by players. The higher the tax burden, the more valuable transparent bonus terms and extra benefits become.

The changes may be particularly significant for the betting industry. Unlike casino players, many professional sports bettors calculate profitability using mathematical models and long-term return expectations. Even relatively small changes in taxation can influence the attractiveness of certain betting markets.

Licensed operators face an additional challenge: maintaining player interest in the regulated sector. If users begin comparing conditions across different jurisdictions, operators must compete not only on service quality but also on the overall financial attractiveness of their products.

The reform affects operator margins indirectly. While the tax is deducted from player winnings rather than operator revenue, lower player activity could reduce overall betting volumes. As a result, companies often respond by expanding marketing initiatives and investing more heavily in customer retention.

European experience suggests that a regulated market typically adapts to new conditions within 12–24 months. Following an initial adjustment period, operators usually restructure their business models and continue growing.

Industry studies indicate that the licensed sector in many EU countries continued to expand even after tax reforms, although growth rates often slowed during the first years following implementation.

Why Lotteries May Feel the Impact More Than Other Gambling Segments

Among all gambling sectors, lotteries are often the most sensitive to tax changes. The reason is straightforward: lottery participants are primarily motivated by the size of potential winnings.

If a jackpot is worth 1 million zł, players focus on that headline figure. When taxation increases, the final payout becomes smaller, potentially reducing the perceived appeal of major draws.

For the lottery market, psychological factors often play a much larger role than they do for most casino products. Players are less likely to analyse mathematical probabilities and more likely to focus on the size of the top prize.

The changes may influence the payout structure of certain products and indirectly affect the gaming revenue of lottery operators. At the same time, the government hopes to increase tax collection through larger winnings.

Within the legal gambling sector, lotteries have traditionally remained one of the largest sources of gambling-related tax revenue, making any changes particularly important for regulators.

Who Benefits and Who Loses from a Higher Tax Rate?

The government stands to be the primary beneficiary of the reform. Even if player activity remains stable, the additional five percentage points could generate a significant increase in tax revenue.

However, the impact on the gambling market is considerably more complex. Operators will enter a new phase of competition. As the burden on players increases, market competition and customer service quality become even more important.

Player retention will take on a greater role. Retaining existing customers becomes more valuable than acquiring new ones. Many companies are already investing heavily in personalised promotions, loyalty schemes and engagement tools.

For large casino operators, the situation is often more manageable than for smaller brands. Larger companies typically have the resources needed to adapt more quickly to changing player behaviour.

Security technologies are also becoming increasingly important. Many licensed brands continue to strengthen account protection during the Rolling Slots login process and similar authentication procedures. These measures help reinforce player trust in a more competitive environment.

Comparisons with other EU countries reveal a mixed picture. France, Italy and Germany all use different gambling taxation models. Some jurisdictions focus on taxing operators, while others place greater emphasis on taxing player winnings.

As a result, the final outcome depends not only on the tax rate itself but also on the overall structure of market regulation.

What Could Happen to the Offshore Gambling Market?

Any increase in taxation automatically raises questions about the attractiveness of unlicensed operators. This is why offshore gambling becomes a major topic of discussion whenever tax reforms are proposed.

Across Europe, instances of market migration between regulated and unregulated sectors have occasionally been observed. However, the scale of such movement depends on a wide range of factors.

The quality of tax policy plays a central role. If the licensed market remains convenient, secure and competitive, most users will continue using legal services even after a tax increase.

The broader gambling economy is influenced not only by the amount deducted from winnings but also by trust in operators, withdrawal speeds, customer support quality and personal data protection.

Changes in betting activity following tax reforms are often temporary. In several EU countries, markets adapted within a few quarters and returned to stable growth.

For Poland, maintaining a balance between taxation and the attractiveness of the licensed sector remains crucial. This balance will largely determine how players distribute themselves across different parts of the market.

What the Polish Gambling Market Could Look Like in the Coming Years

If the tax on winnings is ultimately raised to 15%, Poland’s gambling market will likely undergo an adjustment period lasting between one and three years. Similar transitions have already occurred across several European countries following changes to gambling taxation rules.

For players, independent analysis will become increasingly important. Users are likely to compare operators more carefully, review licences and examine actual payout conditions. In this environment, a Rolling Slots review and other expert resources may become key sources of information before registration.

At the same time, the online casino sector is expected to continue growing. Despite potential tax increases, digital gambling remains one of the fastest-growing areas of the industry, supported by mobile technology and convenient payment solutions.

Responsible gambling will also continue to play an important role. European regulators are actively expanding activity-monitoring tools, deposit limits and behavioural analysis systems. These mechanisms are increasingly becoming standard features of regulated markets.

For operators, customer trust will remain a critical factor. This is why genuine user feedback such as Rolling Slots testimonials is becoming increasingly valuable. Players are paying more attention to the experiences of other users rather than relying solely on advertising claims.

The most likely scenario for Poland is continued growth of the licensed market, provided that regulation remains balanced and the legal sector remains competitive. Under these conditions, the government would benefit from higher tax revenue, operators would retain opportunities for growth, and players would continue enjoying a transparent and secure gambling environment.

Many users continue to follow developments in the industry through specialist resources such as rollingslots-kasyno.com.