Europe · PL
Poland
Poland's KNF authorises payment, e-money and investment firms; online casino games are reserved to the state operator, and the Minister of Finance licenses sports betting.
At a glance
- Status
- EU member state
- Region
- Europe
- Regulated sectors
- GamingPaymentsCryptoInvestment
- Authorities
- KNF · Minister of Finance · GIIF
- Licensing routes
- 4
- See also
- EU / MiCA
Overview
The framework
Online sports betting in Poland may be offered by operators licensed by the Minister of Finance, while online casino games are reserved to the state-owned operator. Gambling is regulated restrictively: unlicensed gambling websites are blocked and payments to them restricted.
The Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) authorises and supervises payment and e-money institutions and investment firms, with EU passporting available. Crypto-asset services are subject to MiCA; we confirm how the national implementation applies to your specific activity before you commit to a route.
Authorities
Who regulates what
- Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF)
- Banks, payment and e-money institutions, investment firms and capital markets.
- Minister of Finance
- Gambling licences, including for online sports betting.
- General Inspector of Financial Information (GIIF)
- Financial intelligence unit; AML/CFT supervision and reporting.
Regimes
Licensing routes
Online betting licence
Licence from the Minister of Finance for online sports betting.
Sectors: Gaming
Payment / e-money institution
Authorisation by the KNF, passportable across the EEA.
Sectors: Payments
Investment firm
KNF authorisation for brokerage and investment services.
Sectors: Investment
Crypto-asset services (MiCA)
Crypto-asset services under MiCA, subject to the national implementation.
Sectors: Crypto
Our Regulatory & Licensing practice prepares the applications for these routes and manages them through to the regulator's decision.
Considerations
What to weigh up
- Scope the Polish offer first: online casino games cannot be licensed to private operators.
- Financial licences benefit from EU passporting.
This overview is general information, summarised at a high level. Requirements change and depend on the specific activity; seek advice on your circumstances before acting.
Industries
Relevant industries
- iGaming & GamingB2C operators, B2B suppliers, platforms, aggregators and affiliates.
- Fintech & PaymentsPayment and e-money institutions, PSPs and acquirers, payment facilitators and embedded finance.
- Crypto & Digital AssetsCASPs and VASPs, exchanges, custodians, wallets, token projects and crypto payments.
- Forex & InvestmentsForex and CFD brokers, investment firms, trading and investment platforms.
Across jurisdictions
Cross-jurisdiction capabilities
Services we support across the jurisdictions in our directory, described once on their own pages. We deliver each to the requirements that apply locally, coordinating local specialists where local law, registration, representation or professional requirements require it.
- Privacy & Data ProtectionExternal DPO services and working privacy programmes: GDPR and global privacy laws, DPIAs, data mapping, transfers and ISO/IEC 27701.
- Information Security & CybersecurityFractional CISO support, ISMS and security programmes, certification and audit readiness, DORA, NIS2 and customer assurance for enterprise sales.
- AI GovernanceGovernance that lets AI adoption scale: EU AI Act readiness, ISO/IEC 42001 management systems, AI risk and impact assessments, and vendor risk.
- AML & Financial Crime ComplianceAML/CFT programmes, MLRO-as-a-Service, independent AML/CFT audits, risk assessments, monitoring, sanctions and inspection support.
- IP Registration & ProtectionTrademark and patent registration, copyright, domain disputes and enforcement that protect your brand, software and content across markets.
- Legal OpinionsRegulatory, business model, perimeter, payment, gaming, crypto-asset and cross-border opinions that answer what banks and investors ask.
- Bank Account OpeningHelp organising your banking with banks and EMIs that fit your model, from the onboarding file and account structure to periodic reviews.
- Merchant Account / Acquiring SetupMerchant applications, acquiring structure and negotiated terms for online and high-risk merchants that need stable card and local payment acceptance.
Support
Poland: how we support your business
- Regulatory & LicensingStrategy, applications and regulator engagement for the gaming, payments, crypto and investment routes listed above.
- Corporate StructuringGroup architecture, incorporation, substance and governance built around your licences, banking and investors.
- Market Entry & Regulatory StrategyMarket prioritisation, regulatory roadmaps and launch readiness that let you expand into new jurisdictions in the right order.
- Information Security & CybersecurityDORA, NIS2 and the information security obligations that apply under EU law.
Poland: the right fit for your business?
We look at your product, target clients and banking needs to see whether this jurisdiction fits or another would serve you better, then send a written proposal with scope, timetable and fee.