As usual, the Polish attempt to ban online casinos has a lot more involved than just the concern for problem gamblers.  However, the Polish online casino debate is a lot more involved than the usual political hubbub.  The Prime Minister in Poland may have been given a silver bullet to finally rid the country of online casinos.

Operation Blackjack was an investigation into alleged corruption on the part of political officials that have allowed the gaming industry to influence their political decisions.  Operation Blackjack lead to the forced resignation of the Polish Minister of Sports, the Minister for Justice, and the Deputy Prime Minister. 

This has left the Polish Prime Minister in a unique situation where action is expected.  Not surprising he is using the political momentum to propose a complete ban on online casinos and any other form of gambling away from traditional brick and mortar casinos. 

The Prime Minister is using this scandal as an excuse to come down hard on gambling, not just online casinos.  He is even proposing increased taxes on legal brick and mortar casinos.  His argument is that the extra taxes are required if Poland is to host the 2012 European Games. 

Raising funds for the European Games is a legitimate concern, but taxing legal brick and mortar casinos is not remotely the only option.  Critics of the proposal have argued that regulating and taxing a legal online casino market could be just as effective in creating new revenue if not more so.  It is an uphill battle for online casino in Poland; like most other countries.