Online Casino Transfer: News - Poland's Plans Disappoint

07/31/2010		Online Casino Style: News Poland's Plans Disappoint
Home History Games News Dictionary		Though Poland has not been one of the most heard of countries in terms of online gambling in recent years, demands by the European Union that all member nations actively comply with the free trade laws on goods and services have brought the Eastern European nation into the spotlight this week, as their new legislative proposal on the industry has not met the EU’s expectations. In fact, a number of opposing comments were submitted this week in relation to the bill, which is developing into quite the controversial topic. The proposal was submitted to the European Commission earlier this year for approval, something it has ye tto achieve months later. The bill has disappointed not only members of the Commission, but has also invited criticism from internet casino friendly regions such as the United Kingdom, and Malta. The bill has been credited with a good framework for establishing an open market for online casinos, but the wording apparently has created problems as it could potentially, in fact likely, cause problems for offshore companies looking for licensing. Prejudice is the issue at hand, with the continued efforts to resolve the problematic regulations as quickly as possible being at the forefront. Luckily, or unluckily, the EGBA has provided a do’s and don’t list, as well as comprehensive suggestions as to how Poland could alter the bill to comply more exactly with the EU law. The current proposal has a number of issues including a requirement for applying online gambling companies to be established in Poland though a joint stock company, or a very lucrative limited company, a mandate for all applicant firms to have their servers in country, and unreasonable exclusions for some basic games, such as poker. All financial transactions will supposedly have to be done through Polish banks, an unreasonable demand given the basis of free trade and international business. “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," said Sigrid Ligné, Secretary General of EGBA. "EU licensed and regulated companies can fulfill 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.”

07/31/2010

Online Casino Style: News
Poland's Plans Disappoint

Though Poland has not been one of the most heard of countries in terms of online gambling in recent years, demands by the European Union that all member nations actively comply with the free trade laws on goods and services have brought the Eastern European nation into the spotlight this week, as their new legislative proposal on the industry has not met the EU’s expectations. In fact, a number of opposing comments were submitted this week in relation to the bill, which is developing into quite the controversial topic.

The proposal was submitted to the European Commission earlier this year for approval, something it has ye tto achieve months later. The bill has disappointed not only members of the Commission, but has also invited criticism from internet casino friendly regions such as the United Kingdom, and Malta. The bill has been credited with a good framework for establishing an open market for online casinos, but the wording apparently has created problems as it could potentially, in fact likely, cause problems for offshore companies looking for licensing. Prejudice is the issue at hand, with the continued efforts to resolve the problematic regulations as quickly as possible being at the forefront.

Luckily, or unluckily, the EGBA has provided a do’s and don’t list, as well as comprehensive suggestions as to how Poland could alter the bill to comply more exactly with the EU law. The current proposal has a number of issues including a requirement for applying online gambling companies to be established in Poland though a joint stock company, or a very lucrative limited company, a mandate for all applicant firms to have their servers in country, and unreasonable exclusions for some basic games, such as poker. All financial transactions will supposedly have to be done through Polish banks, an unreasonable demand given the basis of free trade and international business.

“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," said Sigrid Ligné, Secretary General of EGBA. "EU licensed and regulated companies can fulfill 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.”