Poland to Increase Player Winnings Tax to 15% Starting 2026
Poland’s government is planning to raise taxes on gambling winnings, triggering concern from operators who warn that the move could push players toward unregulated platforms.
The Ministry of Finance is drafting amendments to the Personal Income Tax Act that would increase the tax rate on winnings from 10% to 15%, starting January 2026. The proposed rules would cover games of chance, betting, lotteries and promotional prizes, including winnings earned abroad, potentially extending to EU and EEA-based platforms.
Fiscal Goals Behind the Proposed Increase
Officials in Warsaw argue that the adjustment is needed to boost public revenue, framing it as a response to an outdated 10% rate that has been in place since 2001. Sources in the Sejm indicate that the government views higher taxation as both a fiscal tool and a behavioral measure to curb excessive gambling.
However, critics say that higher taxes could inadvertently encourage players to migrate to offshore or grey-market operators, undercutting the intended goals of reducing illegal gambling and expanding the regulated market. This debate underscores the tension between generating state revenue and maintaining consumer engagement in legal channels.
Poland’s Current Gambling Tax Landscape
Currently, operators in Poland face substantial taxation depending on game type:
Betting is taxed at 12% of total stakes.
Slot and cylindrical games carry a 50% levy on net revenue.
In addition, players pay a 10% tax on winnings, collected directly at payout by licensed operators. For example, a PLN 10,000 win currently results in a PLN 1,000 tax deduction. Under the proposed legislation, this would rise to PLN 1,500. Certain exemptions already exist, including winnings under €520 and prizes from licensed EU or EEA operators, though these may be subject to revision in the new draft.
Industry Concerns: Risk of Market Distortion
Licensed operators argue that a higher winnings tax could reduce the appeal of legal gambling channels, driving traffic to offshore or unlicensed sites. Analysts warn that previous tax hikes have similarly redirected players to untaxed markets, potentially shrinking the regulated sector and reducing overall government revenue despite the intended fiscal benefit.
Industry stakeholders are also pressing for transitional arrangements or exemptions to mitigate potential harm to consumer engagement. Many emphasize that maintaining a balance between taxation and the growth of a legal, safe gambling environment is critical.
Policy Balance and the Road Ahead
The proposed increase reflects Poland’s ongoing challenge of reconciling taxation, regulation and player behavior. Proponents claim the measure modernizes the tax framework and aligns gambling revenues with national finance objectives. Yet uncertainties remain regarding thresholds, minimum taxable amounts and whether the change will uniformly apply to all types of gambling.
As the government prepares the full draft, operators are expected to lobby for safeguards to limit the impact on players. The outcome will likely influence Poland’s iGaming regulation heading into 2026 and could have wider effects across Central and Eastern Europe.
The critical question remains: will higher taxes strengthen Poland’s regulated gambling framework, or inadvertently push players toward unregulated markets?
