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Cross Party Members of Sejm Urge for Tax Reform for Online Gambling

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3 years ago

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In Poland, members of a cross-party group of politicians from the lower house, the Sejm, are calling for reforms to how gambling is taxed. A cross-party committee has joined in calls to change the current legislation in an attempt to rekindle the licensed bookmaker sector of the economy. The MPs believe that more income could be generated for both the industry and the Treasury by changing the current taxation system.

The cross-party committee represents Polish consumers and entrepreneurship. It is officially calling on the Ministry of Finance to abandon the 12% turnover tax that is applied to sports betting. Instead, it wants the country to fall into line with the system that is favoured by most EU Member States. That system sees tax levied on GGR (Gross Gambling Revenue) as opposed to Poland’s current system of total turnover.

The European Betting and Gambling Association are in favour of the change in regulation. In a statement on their website, Martin Haijer, Secretary-General, said,

“EGBA welcomes the ongoing discussions on the future of Poland’s online gambling regulation and supports changes to the tax base for online sports betting. The current turnover tax is punitively high and not conducive to a viable online gambling market that meets the needs and expectations of Polish players. Poland is a large gambling market and has a great love for sports, and a sensible GGR-based tax would be an incentive for virtually all Polish players to play with regulated websites and for more of Europe’s betting companies, including EGBA members, to consider applying for an online sports betting license. These companies would not only support Polish sports through sponsorships and other revenues but also pay gaming taxes and contribute to a more viable market which is attractive to Polish bettors and offers them a safe and regulated environment to play in.” 

The election of Andrzej Duda’s PiS (Law and Justice Party) to Government meant that the online gambling sector was radically overhauled. Until then, between 2011 and 2016, Polish online casinos and betting operated in a liberalised market. In 2017 Poland’s gambling codes were reformed, and the market was remodelled. The Treasury imposed the 12% of turnover tax across all the gambling verticals in the sports betting sector. In addition, the activities of the state-owned monopoly Totalizator Sportowy were restricted.

These changes to the legislation meant that all licensed operators had to have a physical presence in the country to continue to operate. They also had to provide the Ministry of Finance with a database containing all the details of their registered players. As a result, many international operators, including bet365, Bwin, Olympic Entertainment Group and William Hill, withdrew from the territory.

The cross-party committee is asking the Ministry to reconsider its tax policies. They believe the changes implemented post-2107 are regressive compared to other EU countries. The PIGBRiB (The Polish sportsbook trade association) has previously called on the government to introduce a flat rate of taxation on sportsbook GGR. This flat rate should be around 20% of GGR.

Professor Konrad Rackowski, a former Polish Finance Minister, published a paper in which he said these changes would create an online sports betting market that was more viable and attractive.

The current taxation at 12% of total turnover equates to between 55 and 65% as a GGR tax. This means Poland is levying one of the highest taxation rates on online sports betting in the EU. Professor Rackowski adds that only two out of twenty of the country’s licensed sports betting companies were returning a profit.  In addition, a fifth of Polish bettors frequent websites that are not licensed or regulated in Poland, resulting in the Treasury missing out on significant tax revenues.

The Sejm committee also questioned whether the size of the online betting market in Poland could be accurately calculated, given that the current data is based on taxed income and not gross proceeds.

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RESORTS WORLD LAS VEGAS NAMES TOM MCMAHON SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF SLOT OPERATIONS AND MARKETING

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10 hours ago

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July 1, 2025

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Resorts World Las Vegas is continuing the expansion of its executive leadership team with the appointment of Tom McMahon as Senior Vice President of Slot Operations and Marketing.

A respected leader with more than two decades of experience in gaming and hospitality, McMahon steps into his role effective immediately.

“Tom’s deep expertise in luxury casino operations and marketing makes him a powerful addition to our team,” said Carlos Castro, President and Chief Financial Officer of Resorts World Las Vegas. “We look forward to the leadership he will provide in this essential function at Resorts World Las Vegas.”

McMahon has held senior roles at some of the most recognized names in the industry, including Wynn Resorts, Bellagio Resort & Casino, Las Vegas Sands, Venetian | Palazzo and most recently Sycuan Casino Resort. At Resorts World Las Vegas, he will lead initiatives across slot operations, marketing and the Genting Rewards Loyalty Program, with a focus on innovation, guest engagement and operational excellence.

Said McMahon, “Returning to Las Vegas to join a forward-thinking property like Resorts World is an incredible opportunity. I am eager to help shape the next chapter of growth by enhancing the guest experience and building on the strong foundation already in place.”

For more information about Resorts World Las Vegas, please visit rwlasvegas.com. 

 

The post RESORTS WORLD LAS VEGAS NAMES TOM MCMAHON SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF SLOT OPERATIONS AND MARKETING appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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Compliance Updates

Expanse Studios (GMGI) Obtains Croatian iGaming Certification

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16 hours ago

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July 1, 2025

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Expanse Studios, the B2B game development division of Golden Matrix Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GMGI), has received official certification from Croatia’s Ministry of Finance for its flagship game Super Heli, with additional titles in the company’s 56-game portfolio expected to receive approval in the coming weeks for the EU member state.

The certification marks a strategic entry into a market that generated US$484.70m in 2024, with projected growth at a CAGR of 8.4% during 2024-2030. Super Heli, Expanse’s most popular crash-style game, becomes the first of the studio’s titles approved for the Croatian market, paving the way for broader portfolio distribution.

Tapping Into High-Growth European Market

Croatia represents a compelling opportunity for B2B gaming suppliers, with the Online Casinos segment alone projected at US$218.10m in 2024. According to iGamingToday’s latest market research, Croatia’s gambling market will reach €720.42 million by 2025, making it one of Europe’s fastest-growing regulated markets.

Among the key market benefits are:

  • Accelerating digital adoption – Internet penetration jumped from 76% in 2020 to 83% in 2023
  • Over 20.6 million tourist arrivals in 2023 following Schengen Zone entry
  • Over 500,000 Croatians expected to engage in regular online gambling by 2027

Strategic Value for the Company

The certification strengthens Expanse Studios’ European footprint at a critical juncture. With 56 proprietary titles and 500+ B2B partners globally, Expanse is expected to capture a meaningful share in the growing EU market.

“Croatia certification is more than market access—it’s validation of our content quality and compliance capabilities in demanding EU jurisdictions,” said Damjan Stamenkovic, CEO of Expanse Studios. “With our flagship title Super Heli already approved and more games in the pipeline, we’re very excited for the opportunities this markets brings us”

Competitive Advantage in Regulated Markets

Croatia’s regulatory framework favors established, compliant B2B providers. Operators must obtain licenses requiring significant capital investment, and only licensed casino games operators who have at least one brick-and-mortar casino can offer online gambling. This creates high barriers to entry and positions certified B2B suppliers like Expanse as essential partners for operators.

The post Expanse Studios (GMGI) Obtains Croatian iGaming Certification appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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Kristina Jakovleva Represents Slotsjudge at iGB London 2025

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17 hours ago

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July 1, 2025

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The iGB London 2025 event is set to push the boundaries of the online gambling market, and Kristina Jakovleva, Business Development Manager at SEOBROTHERS, will represent Slotsjudge. The event is expected to gather over 15,000 attendees and more than 300 sponsors, and Kristina plans to cover technological trends, discuss affiliate marketing strategies, and foster industry-specific networking.

Event Overview: About iGB London 2025

As one of the iGaming industry’s key global events, iGB London brings together thousands of professionals to drive innovation and growth. Following the success of previous editions, with over 6,500+ affiliates and 150+ programs on offer, the upcoming event promises even greater opportunities for business and collaboration.

Over 15,000+ industry specialists are to join the event this time. This year, participants will discuss technological trends, regulatory updates, affiliate marketing, and branding strategies. Participants can gain actionable insights and learn from successful case studies, making the event both exciting and informative.

About Kristina Jakovleva: Expertise & Plans

Starting her career in education at Liverpool John Moores University, Kristina has been in the iGaming market for years, working as a customer support specialist, affiliate manager, and ultimately as a Business Development Manager at SEOBROTHERS.

Years of experience and a focus on growth enabled Kristina to understand which approach best suited the company quickly, and she successfully implemented strategic partnerships and business growth initiatives to benefit from industry-specific networking.

Expectations & Final Thoughts

Attendees can enjoy iGB London 2025 on 2–3 July 2025 at ExCeL London, and an exclusive AI Concierge service will be available to cover basic questions about the event. Nick Hill, Executive Director at Premier Hill, says that ‘it represents the entire industry, and it is a must-attend show.’

It’s an excellent opportunity for the Slotsjudge team to gain performance-driven insights and plan future growth over the next 12 to 24 months, while other participants can learn from Kristina Jakovleva’s work, reinforcing Slotsjudge’s ongoing commitment to innovation and the overall growth of the iGaming industry.

The post Kristina Jakovleva Represents Slotsjudge at iGB London 2025 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

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