Betcris enters Europe with Poland launch

The operator said it had been targeting a roll-out Poland for some time and researched the country’s legal sports betting market throughout last year.

Betcris said that due to the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic forcing all retail gambling facilities to close for prolonged periods, this served as an impetus for an online-only sports betting alternative from the sportsbook.

The operator added that it intends to use the experience it gains from operating in Poland to support its wider growth strategy, with the aim of pursuing opportunities to launch in other markets both in Europe and around the world.

“Starting operations in Poland was a great choice, the local work team has made sure that the Betcris brand maintains its level of excellence and we are excited about all the possibilities that this opens for us as a company,” Betcris chief executive JD Duarte said.

“Betcris has earned its leadership position in Latin America and now that we come to Poland, we will continue to make history.”

Poland’s Ministry of Finance Krajowa Administracja Skarbowa yesterday (7 September) relaunched an awareness campaign aiming to educate young people in the country about the dangers of gambling addiction and illegal gambling.

It is targeted at those under the legal gambling age of 18, namely children in grade seven (aged between 12 and 13) and eight (those between 13 and 14), as well as parents and teachers.

Also this week, a new report published by H2 Gambling Capital revealed that Poland’s regulated gaming growth has eaten into offshore competitors’ market share – but pointed out this could be reduced further.

Commissioned by Poland’s lottery operator Totalizator Sportowy, it was estimated that unlicensed operators accounted for PLN627.4m of gambling revenue in 2020, representing a market share of 25.6%, with a further PLN1.82bn generated via licensed betting operators.