July 20 - Poland has drafted legislation that will regulate online gaming, but ban online poker.
Polish lawmakers have been urged by the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) to revise the legislation due to their stand that the ban on online poker is "highly doubtful under EU law." The EGBA is referring to the drafted ban against online poker as 'unjustified'.
Other member states of the European Commission, such as the United Kingdom and Malta have also expressed their disagreement with the move.
Sigrid Ligne, Secretary General of the European Gaming and Betting Association said; "We support the Polish government?s intention to join the growing number of countries regulating the online gaming and betting market in the EU. However, the current draft foresees a wide range of obstacles and obligations which will make it highly difficult for EU licensed and regulated operators to apply for a license in Poland. We urge Poland to revise its draft and align it with the requirements of the EU Treaty."
Ligne continued: "Some of these provisions seem to stem from a legitimate wish to regulate and enforce the rules for the online gaming market but they duplicate requirements already fulfilled in other jurisdictions. EU licensed and regulated companies can fulfills all necessary requirements on fraud prevention and consumer protection without being necessarily established in Poland. This draft law would leave Polish consumers without a fair, secure and competitive online gaming market."
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