Top-rated eSports gambling sites in Poland

Esports enjoys a huge following in Poland. As expected, eSports betting sites in Poland are fast going mainstream. An ever-increasing number of punters from this Central European country and eSports fans are wagering on competitive video game tournaments. Consequently, betting operators are in a rush to grab a 'piece of the cake.'

There's no doubt eSports betting is one of the biggest markets in the online gambling industry. According to recent gaming statistics, eSports betting is expected to surpass $205 Billion by 2027. Like in the rest of the world, eSports betting is popular in Poland. Polish gamblers treasure eSports betting for several reasons. Unlike virtual sports, competitive gaming has a human touch.

Top-rated eSports gambling sites in Poland
The Best Esports Betting Sites in Poland 2023

The Best Esports Betting Sites in Poland 2023

Esports has also blossomed into a competitive sport, attracting investors, professional teams, top-rated esports athletes, and huge prizes. The availability of some of the best esports betting sites in Poland has been a key driver towards esports betting in the country.

This is the place to be for those who are not sure which are the best video game wager sites Poland. Explore some of the best esports bookmakers in Poland, the history of online esports betting, the legality of it, games Polish players bet on the most, payment methods, and more.

The Best Esports Betting Sites in Poland 2023
Polish players' favorite games

Polish players' favorite games

Poland has a rich esports culture. Polish betting sites have it all whether bettors are into multiplayer online battle arena video games, sports simulation, strategy, or shooter games. Below are the popular esports that Polish players bet on.

Sports Simulation

Number one is FIFA. Considering soccer is the most popular sport in Poland, EA Sports franchise FIFA is the most bet on esports in Poland. Fans of this video game love betting on it because of the realistic gameplay and similarity to traditional soccer betting. The gameplay, markets, and odds are all similar.

Shooters

Another popular game among Polish bettors is Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Valve, and Hidden Path Entertainment's online multiplayer shooter. Other top-ranking shooter games in the Polish esports scene include Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege, Valorant, Call of Duty: Warzone, and Apex Legends.

MOBA

Poles are also fans of multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games. League of Legends leads the pack regarding the number of players and bettors alike. Other popular MOBAs include Dota 2, Vainglory, Heroes of the Storm, Smite, and Arena of Valor.

RTS

Strategy games are also a household name in Poland. There are many fans of StarCraft, World of Warcraft, and Age of Empires.

Polish players' favorite games
Payment methods in Poland

Payment methods in Poland

Real money esports betting requires players to deposit real money into their accounts. So, what should players know regarding banking at Polish online esports betting sites?

Deposit and withdrawal methods

When it comes to deposits and withdrawals, direct online bank transfers are the most popular method. Dubbed 'Przelewy24' or 'P24', the consumers' bank facilitates this money transfer service. BLIK is a money transfer service that facilitates instant payment options and cash withdrawals using only the standard mobile banking app.

Besides direct bank transfers, players can deposit and withdraw winnings using several other methods, including cards and eWallets. The options here include Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Dotpay, and Mobile Carrier Billing (MOBIAMO).

Currencies at polish betting sites

All locally operated betting sites and most offshore sites support the Polish złoty, the country's official currency and legal tender. Others go a step further to support international currencies, including the euro, the United States dollar, the British pound, etc. In addition to fiat currencies, select Polish esports betting sites accept cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Ethereum.

All the sites on this page have been carefully vetted. They are secured using the latest military-grade encryption so punters can always feel safe when banking.

Payment methods in Poland
History of esports betting in Poland

History of esports betting in Poland

When did esports betting start in Poland? How has it evolved to where it is today? What does the future hold? This section answers the above crucial questions in detail.

History of esports betting in Poland
History of gambling in Poland

History of gambling in Poland

To understand the Polish online esports betting landscape, it's first important to understand the history of gambling in general.

Gambling in Poland can be traced back to the 1920s and 1930s. In 1920, Polish citizens gambled casually until the first land casino was established in 1930. Several other casinos were established in the next few years, but World War II broke out before the industry went full throttle.

Poland was at the center of the war and was unfortunately annexed by the USSR in 1946. While before the war, Poland was a gambling-friendly country, the Soviets introduced a blanket ban on all forms of gambling, including betting.

The ban on gambling was around until 1955 when the government established the state-run Totalizator Sportowy, a gambling company that allows punters to wager on soccer.

In the 90s, after the collapse of the USSR, several gambling establishments were established, allowing gamblers to wager on casino games and even place bets. Sports betting became more popular among gamblers as other games, including horse racing, were brought into the mix.

The coming of esports Poland

As sports betting blossomed, betting sites introduced virtual sports, which were a favorite because they have plenty of betting markets, 24/7 and the games were short. But then, they lacked that human touch, something esports offers.

When esports started creeping into the sports betting scene, Poland was among the countries where punters embraced it. The country has several pro teams in the industry and top-rated pro athletes in divisions such as Dota 2 and CS: GO. This is one aspect that has shaped online esports betting in this country.

History of gambling in Poland
Esports betting nowadays in Poland

Esports betting nowadays in Poland

Today, there are thousands of esports betting fanatics in Poland. The surge in betting Poland was orchestrated by Covid-19. When live sports were halted at the height of the pandemic, esports came in to fill the gap. There were no betting markets except for virtual sports betting, which is not a favorite to many.

At the time, esports was a big, competitive industry that attracted top teams, sponsors, and huge endorsements. There was enough at stake to make eSports organizations just as competitive as top-flight sports clubs in top-tier tournaments.

The future of esports betting

Even though live sports have resumed, esports betting still has a special place in the hearts of Polish punters. There's no doubt the interest in esports is rising in the country that hosted several top esports events, including IEM Katowice 2017 and Intel Extreme Masters. It's also the host for the upcoming IEM Katowice 2022 - ESL Pro Tour.

One of the key drivers of esports betting in Poland is the culture in the country. Poland has many esports enthusiasts, which explains why the country is synonymous with esports tournaments and hosts major events that attract global attention.

The availability of esports betting markets is also a factor that will spur the growth of the Polish online esports betting industry. Now that plenty of tournaments cut across dozens of divisions all year long, players are spoiled for choice.

Lastly, Polish esports sites offer players lucrative betting bonuses. There are no deposit bonuses, deposit bonuses, and more. Even though they are subject to wagering requirements, they still entice bettors.

Esports betting nowadays in Poland
Unlicensed esports sites

Unlicensed esports sites

Today, Poland is an open market where players can access both local and international betting sites. However, much of the esports betting in Poland is conducted on unlicensed online betting websites. The government has been keen on eradicating illegal betting, but all the efforts are yet to bear much fruit.

Betting sites blacklist registry

One of the most promising moves to curtail illegal betting is creating a blacklist of betting sites that cannot direct their betting services to Polish players. The list is shared with Internet Service Providers (ISP), who by law are required to block the blacklisted sites. To further cripple the operations of unlicensed esports betting sites online, the law requires local money transfer services to stop offering payment solutions to such sites.

But unfortunately, there are thousands of esports betting sites, with new ones cropping up by the day. This makes it hard for the government to maintain a comprehensive and up-to-date registry of all the bookmakers accepting Polish players. In the long run, players are still betting on unauthorized offshore bookies.

Now, why do players prefer offshore betting sites?

The first reason is that the locally licensed betting sites don't have vast esports betting markets, unlike international bookies. Secondly, offshore betting sites offer generous odds and, more so, fantastic promotions and bonuses. Lastly, betting on international casinos doesn't attract taxes charged when betting on bookies licensed by the Polish Ministry of Finance.

Unlicensed esports sites
Betting acts

Betting acts

The Act of 29 July 1992 on Games of Chance, Mutual Betting, and Automated Games forms the backbone of the Polish gambling laws. The Act proposed the establishment of an entity under the Ministry of Finance that would license and regulate betting and other gambling operators in the country.

In 2009, after the authorities discovered a corrupt pro-gambling lobby group within the political class, the 2009 Polish Act on Gaming was introduced. It imposed a blanket ban on online betting, including esports betting.

In 2011, however, the government relaxed its stance by amending the Polish Act of Gaming to legalize sports betting but with some limitations. This Act locked out foreign operators, but to conform with the European Union policies, the 2014 Polish Act on Gaming came into force, allowing foreign operators to apply for a license from the Polish government.

In 2014 the government announced that Polish gamblers who played at unregulated offshore casinos risk legal action. Three years later, in 2017, another amendment came. It established a registry of blacklisted bookmakers that were supposed to be blocked by ISPs and online payment providers.

Betting acts
FAQs

FAQs

Is sports betting legal in Poland?

Yes. Sports betting in Poland, including esports betting, is legal. This is as long as the betting operator has a valid license from the Polish Ministry of Finance. The license allows the bookmaker to legally offer sports betting markets and accept bets over the internet.

Can Polish punters be charged for playing at unlicensed betting sites?

Yes. According to the law, bettors playing at bookmakers not licensed by the Polish Ministry of Finance violate the Gaming Act. In 2021, the authorities cautioned players to stop betting at unregulated offshore sites.

Are offshore betting sites safe?

Yes. Most of the offshore esports betting sites are safe. This is if any reputable betting regulatory authorities license them. However, players should register at betting sites licensed abroad and the Ministry of Finance to avoid infringing the law.

Can anyone bet on esports in Poland?

No. According to the Polish Gaming Act, players must have attained the age of 18 before they can bet.

Can Polish punters bet on mobile?

Yes. Most Polish esports betting sites have a mobile version to cater to the growing number of on-the-go punters. Others even have native apps for iOS and Android.

FAQs