PokerStars leaves the Polish market: reasons and consequences

PokerStars, the largest online poker room, announced that it will cease operations in the Polish market as of March 27, 2025. This decision is part of a broader strategy by its parent company Flutter Entertainment, which aims to focus its efforts on the most promising markets. However, despite the operational changes, it is important to note that PokerStars’ departure is not related to Polish legislative initiatives in the field of gambling.

Reasons for PokerStars’ departure from the Polish market

The company stated that the cessation of operations in Poland is part of the optimization of its operations and focus on markets with the highest growth potential. Over the past few years, PokerStars has actively restructured its business, exiting less profitable or more challenging markets. This is not the first time the company has ceased operations in certain countries. In 2023, PokerStars left markets such as Croatia, Peru, and the Czech Republic.

It is important not to confuse the company’s decision with Polish gambling laws. Company representatives emphasized that their exit is not related to the tightening of legislation. This raises questions about the effectiveness of Poland’s gambling regulation system, as even the largest global operators can continue operating in the market, bypassing existing restrictions.

The sequence of events and action plan for users

PokerStars stated that the process of shutting down operations will take place gradually and in a well-organized manner. For Polish users, this means they will be able to continue playing until the end of March 2025. Afterward, the company will provide detailed information about account closures, withdrawals, and all open transactions.

The company expressed gratitude to its Polish users for their support and loyalty, noting that they will continue to receive assistance throughout the process of closing operations in the Polish market. This reflects PokerStars’ intention to complete its exit without negative consequences for users.

Problems with Polish legislation: how it affects the market

The example with PokerStars can be seen as an indicator of flaws in the Polish gambling regulation system. Despite the fact that online poker is officially banned in the country, the largest international poker room operated in the Polish market for many years without serious consequences. This highlights existing gaps in the legislative framework, which allow global players to continue their operations without real intervention from the state.

Additionally, PokerStars’ decision to leave the country also highlights the insufficient effectiveness of Polish regulators in ensuring compliance with the law. As a result, international companies can exit the market at their discretion without facing significant problems, raising questions about the current regulatory model.

What comes next?

As PokerStars completes its operations in Poland, it is expected that the company will continue to focus on more stable and profitable markets with clear legislative frameworks. In the future, this may apply to other major players in the online gambling market as well. Companies that can adapt to new conditions and comply with strict laws will have the greatest chances of success in countries with strong regulation.

Conclusion

PokerStars’ exit from the Polish market is a significant step for the company as part of its global strategy aimed at optimizing operations and concentrating resources on more profitable markets. At the same time, this step raises questions about the shortcomings of the Polish gambling regulation system, which failed to prevent the long-term operation of the largest online operator in its territory despite legal restrictions.