Online bookmaker Pinnacle, which possesses licenses for the territories of Curacao and Malta, has decided not to operate in the Polish market any more.

The reason for the withdrawal is the new Polish gambling legislation passed in December 2016. No further comment has been made on the part of Pinnacle’s management.

Following the suspension process, all Polish accounts will be deactivated on 1 April, and outstanding balances will be handed back to customers.

The Polish authorities’ policy towards gambling is seen as prohibitive and unpopular not only domestically but by the EU and the industry as a whole. Currently, betting firms have to pay 12% tax on their wagering turnover.

Some foreign betting operators have even submitted complaints to the European Court of Justice, claiming that the restrictions favor state-owned betting companies. In 2016, the Polish government refused to align its gambling legislative framework with European Union policies, thus limiting international stakeholders’ access to its online casino and slot games market.