Poland Pushes for EU-Wide Crackdown on Illegal Gambling
Poland, which currently holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union, is leading the fight against illegal gambling. The country is proposing a unified approach to recover billions in tax revenue currently being lost.
EU Tax Losses and Poland’s Response
Poland is highlighting the significant financial losses caused by black-market gambling operations, estimating that the European Union may be missing out on as much as €7.2 billion in unrealized tax revenue. This financial impact has spurred Poland to push for a coordinated approach to combat the issue.
To address this, Poland is advocating for the creation of a new working group under the European Commission. This group would consist of national experts and would focus on harmonizing gambling regulations and enforcement practices across member states. The European Betting and Gaming Association has long supported such a unified approach, calling for greater cross-border collaboration.
Cross-Border Cooperation and Technology
Poland, known for its conservative stance on gambling, is taking a leading role in driving these potential changes. This initiative signals a push for more cohesive and effective measures against illegal gambling within the EU.
There have been signs of increased cooperation, such as the data-sharing agreement between Lichtenstein and Switzerland. This agreement ensures that individuals banned from casinos in one country are also banned in the other, applying to both land-based and online casinos.
The Polish proposal, as reported by Bloomberg, is expected to focus on strengthening ties between member states in areas such as AI-powered technologies and combating illegal websites, including those involved in gambling.
Black Market Challenges Across Europe
Black-market operations continue to be a major concern across the EU, with countries like Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Belgium still struggling with high rates of illegal gambling despite having established regulatory frameworks.
Germany, in particular, has faced challenges with the proliferation of black-market gambling, leading to disagreements between trade groups and the national regulator. Observers have criticized the regulator for allegedly understating the extent of the problem.
