Europe · PL
Poland
Poland's Financial Supervision Authority (KNF) authorises payment, e-money and investment firms; online gambling is restricted, with online casino games reserved to the state operator.
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
Poland regulates gambling restrictively. Online sports betting may be offered by operators licensed by the Minister of Finance, while online casino games are reserved to the state-owned operator. 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; the national implementation should be confirmed for the specific activity.
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
Applications and regulator engagement for these routes are handled by our Regulatory & Licensing practice.
Considerations
What to weigh up
- 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. How each is delivered depends on the local requirements that apply; where local qualification is required, we coordinate locally qualified counsel.
- Privacy & Data ProtectionPrivacy compliance and GDPR programmes, notices and DPAs, DPIAs, data mapping and ROPA, transfers, audits and breach response.
- 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 and protection, copyright protection, domain name disputes, portfolio support and IP agreements.
- Legal OpinionsRegulatory, business model, perimeter, payment, gaming, crypto-asset and cross-border opinions for banks, partners and investors.
- Bank Account OpeningSupport with corporate and operational accounts at banks and EMIs, prepared for how their compliance teams assess high-risk businesses.
- Merchant Account / Acquiring SetupSupport with merchant account applications and acquiring setup at acquirers and PSPs, including for high-risk merchant categories.
Support
How we support businesses in Poland
- Regulatory & Licensing01Strategy, applications and regulator engagement for the gaming, payments, crypto and investment routes listed above.
- Corporate Structuring02Group architecture, incorporation, substance and governance built around your licences, banking and investors.
- Market Entry & Regulatory Strategy10Market prioritisation, regulatory roadmaps and launch readiness for businesses expanding into new jurisdictions.
- Information Security & Technology Compliance06DORA, NIS2 and the information security obligations that apply under EU law.
Discuss your matter with a senior advisor.
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