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Bitcoin online casinos are popular in Poland despite what the country's gambling laws say or do not say. Guest author Jacek Michałski takes a look at whether it is legal to gamble in Poland using bitcoin. To find out more about Jacek, click here.
Online casino gaming is a monopolized industry in Poland, which means that the country does not permit private operators to run online casinos within its borders. But this does not stop Poles from playing at online casinos operating from remote jurisdictions, and most of these casinos happen to be Bitcoin online casinos.
Legalities of Bitcoin in Poland
The legality of Bitcoin in Poland is still debatable, but Szymon Woźniak, a Polish official from the Ministry of Finance, stated that the ministry does not consider the coin to be illegal.
However, the ministry does not consider it to be legal either. Speaking at a seminar on Dec 18, 2013, the official said that things that are not forbidden are definitely permitted, but not necessarily considered legal.
So is Bitcoin gambling legal? The simple truth is that Bitcoin is not under the control of any government or financial institution. Although Bitcoin is not officially recognized in Poland, residents trade cryptocurrencies on local platforms. And there are no laws to stop Bitcoin online casinos from accepting Polish players. You can find a number of bitcoin-friendly online casinos in Poland such as Zetcasino and others.
Interesting Features of Bitcoin
If you are wondering what makes Bitcoin a popular casino payment method for players residing in grey jurisdictions, you must check out the following interesting features of Bitcoin. They will help you understand why Polish players prefer playing at Bitcoin online casinos.
- Bitcoin is not under the control of any individual, state, or institution; so online casinos can legally offer it in grey markets.
- Bitcoin transactions are transparent. Stored on the blockchain, a huge public ledger, the transaction can be easily accessed, but not modified in any way. This makes Bitcoin safe and secure.
- As you don't have to reveal your bank account or credit card details while using Bitcoin, the method is anonymous.
- Bitcoin transactions are instant; it won't take you more than a few minutes to make online casino deposits and withdrawals.
- Bitcoin transactions are free, but you will get faster confirmations if you choose to pay a nominal fee.
Gambling Laws in Poland
Is gambling illegal in Poland? Polish gambling laws are quite restrictive, and the government monopolizes a major portion of the industry. You can play legally at sports betting sites as Poland has the regulatory framework in place to license and authorize operators to offer online sportsbooks.
However, running online casinos is a state monopoly, and the government doesn’t authorize any private operator to do the same. Despite this, the Polish casino gaming industry is thriving and is estimated to be worth billions of dollars.
The restrictive casino gaming laws have no power to stop Poles from signing up and playing at foreign casino sites, and Bitcoin is the only payment option at some of these online casinos.
Legalities of Gambling at Bitcoin Casinos in Poland
Several Bitcoin casinos accept Polish players. Some of them are truly anonymous, allowing you to start playing without registration. They partner with reputed software providers and offer high-quality slots, table & card games, and video poker games on instant-play software platforms.
But is playing at a Bitcoin casino legal in Poland? The answer is both yes and no. While it is not illegal, it is not legal either. If you browse the massive law books of Poland, you won’t find a single law, which clearly states that Bitcoin casinos are illegal. Also, you won’t find a single law, which clearly states that Bitcoin casinos are legal. In other words, it is a grey area.
While Poles won’t get into trouble with the law for playing at Bitcoin online casinos, they have to do so at their own risk. Playing at Bitcoin online casinos has many advantages. They welcome players from all countries, offer large bonuses and rewards, shorter payout processing times, and high levels of security.
But Polish players should be careful about signing up at online casinos that offer only Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as payment methods. As Bitcoin is not under the control of any bank or financial institution, Bitcoin online casinos do not feel the need to obtain a license. So research the Bitcoin casino well before signing up. Have fun and play responsibly.
Conclusion
The popularity of bitcoin-friendly casinos in Poland is expected to grow in the coming year, with the value of bitcoin soaring to new heights. Enjoy your bitcoin gaming experience, just make sure you select the right bitcoin online and mobile casino for you.
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not reflect the views of Bitcoin Insider. Every investment and trading move involves risk - this is especially true for cryptocurrencies given their volatility. We strongly advise our readers to conduct their own research when making a decision.