Bet365 & Mr Green Leave Polish Market

Bet365 has announced it will withdraw from Poland’s online gaming market in the face of proposed changes to online regulations and tax rates in the country. William Hill announced its withdrawal earlier last month. Poland will tax offshore online companies at 12 percent of turnover in a move perceived to protect state-owned operator Totalizator Sportowy.

Bet365 and Mr Green are the latest online gambling operators to announce they will be pulling out of Poland.

A number of online operations have been leaving the market as Poland is setting a tax rate of 12 percent on wagering turnover—rather than revenue—for offshore online gambling companies. The tax is seen as a protective move for state-owned operator Totalizator Sportowy.

The new regulations, which went into effect April 1, do expand online gambling games allowed in the country, but limit licenses for foreign operators to sports betting.

Earlier, William Hill announced its withdrawal from Poland saying the country has become restrictive and hostile to international gambling operators. It too ceased operations in the country at the end of March.

Bet365 withdrew from the country’s market at the end of March. All players accounts registered in the country will be suspended and players will be contacted separately about closing their accounts.

Mr Green has also informed players it is closing Polish accounts. Other companies that have left the market include EnergyBets and Pinnacle.