Polish Gambling Industry Opposes Proposed EU-Wide Betting Tax

Four Polish gambling industry organisations have jointly opposed a proposal to introduce an EU-wide tax on licensed online gambling operators, warning that additional taxation could weaken the competitiveness of regulated businesses.

The proposed levy, championed by European Parliament Vice-President Victor Negrescu, would impose a 1% tax on the licensed online gambling sector across the European Union. It has been presented as a potential source of additional revenue for the EU's 2028–2034 Multiannual Financial Framework.

Polish industry representatives argue that introducing a common tax without addressing differences between national gambling regulations would create an uneven operating environment and could encourage consumers to use unauthorised platforms.

The proposal has not been formally adopted, and its inclusion in the EU's future budget arrangements remains uncertain.

Polish Organisations Challenge EU Tax Proposal

Negrescu first advanced the proposal in early 2026 as part of discussions over additional revenue sources for the European Union's next long-term budget.

In June, his office indicated that the measure remained under consideration and was attracting interest in Brussels. European Commissioner for Budget, Anti-Fraud and Public Administration Piotr Serafin subsequently confirmed that the European Commission was examining a range of potential budget options, including a gambling levy.

The proposal has already attracted opposition from Malta and the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA). Four Polish gambling organisations have now added their objections through a joint statement.

The signatories highlighted what they described as a difference between the positions of the European Commission and European Parliament. They noted that the proposed gambling tax was absent from the Commission's original budget package presented in 2025, despite continued support for the measure within Parliament.

Their central concern is that a common tax would introduce an additional financial obligation for licensed operators without establishing equivalent rules governing market access, consumer protection and enforcement across member states.

“It cannot be accepted that the European Union harmonises the tax burden, while leaving the Member States with very different regulatory models, tax levels and market access conditions, leaving them alone in the fight against gambling crime,” the statement said.

Operators Highlight Poland's Existing Tax Burden

The Polish organisations also pointed to the existing taxation framework for licensed gambling operators in their domestic market.

Poland applies a 12% tax on betting turnover, which the organisations say can represent more than half of an operator's gross gaming revenue (GGR). This is in addition to the costs associated with licensing, regulatory compliance and operating within the country's legal framework.

The signatories argue that a further EU-level levy could place additional pressure on licensed businesses while leaving unauthorised operators outside the tax system.

“As a result, the additional tax may lead to a decrease in the competitiveness of legal operators, an increase in the attractiveness of illegal websites for consumers, and thus the outflow of some players to entities operating outside the law and a further increase in the shadow economy,” the statement said.

The organisations further warned that such a shift could reduce national tax receipts and expose consumers to platforms operating without the protections required of licensed businesses.

These outcomes represent the industry's projections rather than established consequences of the proposed levy. The final impact would depend on the tax's design, its interaction with national duties and the response of operators and consumers.

Industry Calls For Harmonised Gambling Regulation

Rather than focusing exclusively on taxation, the Polish organisations have urged EU policymakers to consider a broader framework for regulating gambling across member states.

Their proposals include common market access rules for licensed operators, enforceable EU-wide consumer protection standards and more effective mechanisms for combating illegal gambling.

The organisations argue that unauthorised platforms can target consumers across national borders, while licensed businesses must comply with separate regulatory and licensing requirements in each jurisdiction.

“Currently, in the European Union, no legal operator has the ability to operate in all member states, at the same time, this is how illegal entities operate,” the statement said.

The signatories clarified that they do not dispute the authority of the EU or individual member states to determine fiscal policy. Their objection concerns the introduction of additional taxation without accompanying measures to address differences in regulation and enforcement.

They concluded that a coordinated approach would be necessary to balance public revenue objectives with consumer protection and the development of regulated gambling markets.

The proposed 1% levy remains under discussion as European policymakers consider revenue arrangements for the 2028–2034 budget. No final decision has been announced on whether gambling taxation will form part of the framework.