Polish bookmakers to undergo social responsibility checks
A new round of checks will look into all aspects of bookmakers’ operations.
Poland.- It’s been reported that bookmakers in Poland will undergo a new round of social responsibility checks by the Office of Competition and Consumer Protection (UOKiK). The assessments will cover leading operators on the Polish market, including Fortuna, STS, Superbet, Bukmachers, E-toto Bukmachers and LV Bet.
The scope of the review, which the government described as routine, will extend across all aspects of bookmakers’ operations, from websites to mobile applications, and will include scrutiny of the terms and conditions that govern customer agreements. Artificial intelligence systems will be used to identify potential shortcomings. UOKiK has said that it will be examining whether companies are engaging in so-called dark patterns designed to manipulate consumer behaviour through user interface design, messaging or incentives.
Player protection measures will also be assessed, with regulators looking at how easily players can avoid gambling if they wish to do so. This includes options such as account closure or temporary suspension.
Another area of focus will be the balance of rights between customers and betting platforms. UOKiK will examine whether operators have established clear and fair rules regarding the cancellation of deposits, restrictions on betting, account blocks or disputes over winnings. Should any bookmaker be found in breach of these standards, UOKiK has the authority to impose fines of up to 10 per cent of the company’s annual turnover.
Tomasz Chróstny, President of UOKiK, commented: “Mutual betting is a legal form of entertainment, but the gambling market is covered by special regulations with the goal of counteracting addiction, the consequences of which can affect not only personal finances, but also family life and consumer health. Businesses operating in the market should be expected not to use practices that may increase the risk of compulsive and harmful behaviour and to provide mechanisms to allow players to stop gambling.”
