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International operators blocked
Poland adheres to the model "only what is directly allowed is allowed." This means that international operators without a Polish licence - even if they are legal in other countries - are considered illegal for a Polish player. To protect users and detail the market, domain locks and payment restrictions are used. Below is how the mechanism works, who is responsible for what and what this means in practice.
1) Why international. com sites are blocked
Jurisdictional principle. The right to offer gambling to Polish players is not given by "foreign licenses," but by a Polish license/concession or state circuit (for online casinos).
Priority of player protection. Licensees are required to perform KYC/AML, provide Responsible Gaming tools (limits, self-exclusion), store logs and provide transparent payments. An unlicensed site does not guarantee this.
Fiscal transparency. Legal operators pay taxes under Polish rules; illegal - no.
2) How lockdown works: Two circuits
2. 1 Domain lock register
The official list includes domains that offer gambling without a Polish license.
ISPs are required to restrict access to such domains and their "mirrors" on time.
The registry is replenished dynamically: when new mirrors or rebrands appear, records are added promptly.
2. 2 Payment restrictions
Banks and payment providers stop accepting/sending payments in favor of addressees associated with domains from the registry.
Cards, bank transfers, e-wallets and other identifiable channels fall under the filters.
The goal is to make the game on an illegal site financially and technically meaningless.
3) What happens if you use VPN/mirrors
Risk of loss of funds. Payment and verification locks, denial of cashout, lack of ombuds mechanisms.
Lack of data protection. There is no guarantee that personal and payment information is protected and processed according to standards.
Legal vulnerability. Refunds and proceedings are almost impossible: Polish authorities have no leverage over a foreign company without a local license.
Account sanctions. Often there are freezes of accounts "indefinitely" under the pretext of "KUS/checks," because the operator has no obligations to the Polish regulator.
4) Advertising and affiliates: who can and how
Only licensees have the right to advertise - and only in permitted formats with 18 + marking and the "Responsible Game" block.
Affiliates/media promoting unlicensed brands risk fines and resource/payment blocks.
Joint and several liability. If a partner violates the rules (click-under, "risk-free" promises, target <18), the responsibility falls on the brand advertiser.
5) How to distinguish a legal site from an illegal one: a player's quick checklist
1. License: the site indicates the Polish license/concession and the details of the operator in Poland.
2. Vertical: online casinos - only in the state circuit (Total Casino brand). Private sites without a Polish license with a casino section are illegal.
3. Sections: "Rules," "Responsible play," "Privacy policy," transparent T&C bonuses.
4. Payments: local/identifiable methods; there are no "gray" intermediaries and strange merchants.
5. Access: the site does not require VPNs/mirrors to log in; opens directly from Poland.
6) What it means for players
Advantages of the model
Predictable payments, understandable deadlines and rules.
Self-monitoring tools: deposit/loss/time limits, timeout and self-exclusion.
Channels for dispute resolution (through the operator and regulatory mechanisms).
Minuses
Smaller selection of online casino content compared to open jurisdictions.
More restrained bonus policy and strict advertising.
7) What it means for international operators
Without a Polish license - you cannot target Polish users, accept their payments and conduct local advertising.
Compliance selection:- obtain a Polish license (if the vertical is allowed for private traders - rates);
- completely geo-close access from Poland and clear traffic from affiliates.
- Risks of ignoring: domain/payment blocking, reputational losses, legal claims.
8) Typical tricks of illegal immigrants - and why they should not be waged
"We have a European license, so everything is legal." No: Polish license/admission required.
"Without KYC, instant payments." Often turns into a refusal of cashout at the first large amount.
Mirror or New Domain. The license does not "move" with the domain; the registry is replenished quickly.
Super-generous bonuses. Opaque wagers/rate limits → reasons for non-payment.
9) Safe Play Practice: Short Plan
1. Choose licensees only. Online Casino - Total Casino; rates - brands with a Polish license.
2. Take KYC early. Will speed up payments and reduce the risks of blocking.
3. Turn on limits. Deposits/losses/session time; use timeout.
4. Read T&C bonuses. Vager, timing, contribution of markets, maximum bet when wagering.
5. Do not use VPN/mirrors. This is a direct risk of funds and data.
10) FAQ (short)
Is it possible to play at the international. com-brand via VPN? Technically - sometimes, legally and practically - a bad idea: high risks of non-payment and loss of protection.
What will happen to the funds if the domain is blocked? There are no guarantees: without a Polish license, you are outside the protection mechanisms.
How to understand that the site is "gray"? We need a VPN/mirror, there is no Polish license, aggressive promises and "anonymous" payments are alarming signs.
In Poland, international operators without a Polish license are blocked domain and financially. This is a deliberate policy in favor of user safety and market transparency. The best solution for the player is to use only legal services, pass KYC, include limits and avoid "gray" offers. For operators, the only sustainable way is to work according to Polish rules or not to work with a Polish audience at all.