From September, Blik will block it. Limited access to certain transactions

It strongly stimulates the brain’s reward system, triggers the illusion of control and drives the compulsive pursuit of regaining lost money – this is one of the definitions of gambling, i.e. a game for money or other goods in which the outcome is determined by fate.

Such a game stimulates the secretion of dopamine, the hormone of pleasure and excitement, acting on the nervous system similarly to drugs. The risk and uncertainty of winning increase the level of adrenaline, which the brain begins to treat as a strong stimulus to repeat actions. Players believe that the next attempt will bring a win and allow them to make up for their losses, which draws them into a vicious circle. From here it’s a straight path to addiction. And the state does not tolerate this. The Polish state too.

Blocking payments to illegal operators. Over 55 thousand addresses

Gambling is an entertainment based on mathematics and the small, systematic statistical advantage built into every gambling game. The gambler will go bankrupt sooner or later, and the casino, which has unlimited resources compared to the player, will remain. Hence the saying that “the casino always wins”. This is ensured by the law of large numbers, which is why casinos are not interested in a single player, or even a single evening. They are interested in what will happen over the next million bets.

The state fights illegal gambling to protect citizens from addictions, prevent crime and ensure budget revenues. Money from legal gambling or bookmaking goes to the state budget, but illegal casinos are often linked to the mafia and money laundering.

The Ministry of Finance maintains a public register of websites offering illegal online gambling, which already contains over 55,000 addresses. Internet providers and banks are obliged to block access to blacklisted websites and prevent payments to illegal operators. Blik too.

Blik will not block legal gambling. It will block illegal transactions

Pursuant to the law, after entering the address in the Register of Domains Used to Offer Gambling Games, contrary to the Act, Internet operators are to block access to it from the territory of Poland.

The solution, which is to be operational in the Blik system from September 1, 2026, will include the online payment authorization stage. Before the customer approves the transfer of money, the system will verify the domain from which the transaction originates. If the website address is on the list of websites offering gambling contrary to the Act, the payment will not be accepted.

The mechanism is to cover transactions handled by both domestic and foreign settlement agents. This is intended to make it more difficult for illegal operators to use intermediaries operating outside Poland. However, you will still be able to use Blik with legal companies that have the required permits, as long as they provide such a payment method.