Wyjście…William Hill withdraws all services from Poland

FTSE-listed William Hill has become the latest industry operator to fully withdraw its services from the newly regulated Polish online betting market.

This week the bookmaker confirmed its market withdrawal to customers and media partners stating that it would shut down its Polish betting services on 1 April. The bookmaker has asked its marketing partners to stop all campaigns and will now move to clear Polish customer funds.

Having refused to amend its 12% online gambling turnover tax,  which was passed by the legislative chamber in December 2016 and for incorporation into law this April, Poland has seen an exodus of betting firm’s leaving its jurisdiction. International betting operators’ have argued that the tax on services is unworkable for industry operations.

International betting operators’ have argued that the tax on online services is unworkable for industry operations and that the Polish government is purposely creating favourable conditions for state-owned operator Totalizator Sportowy. 

This week, Polish-founded online betting enterprise EnergyBets detailed that the company had withdrawn from its home market, stating that Poland had become a “highly restrictive and hostile regulatory environment”.

Further bookmakers to have exited the Polish market, include Pinnacle and Eastern European gambling group  Olympic Entertainment Group.

William Hill management did not personally comment on the firm’s decision to leave the Polish market.