How to bet with licensed bookmakers
Want to start betting on sports but don’t know where to begin? This guide walks you through it step by step — from choosing a legal, licensed bookmaker, through registration and account verification, all the way to placing your first, informed bet. We show only the path that complies with Polish law. Updated: October 2026.
Sports betting is a popular form of entertainment, but to be safe it must rest on three pillars: a legal operator, an understanding of odds and financial discipline. This guide takes you through the entire process — so that from your very first betslip you play knowingly and in line with Polish law, without the risks tied to illegal sites.
Step 1: choose a legal bookmaker
In Poland, online betting can only be legally offered by a company holding a permit from the Minister of Finance (MF). This is an absolute requirement — the safety of your funds and the legality of your play depend on it. Before you open an account, check whether the operator appears in the official MF register (gov.pl/web/finanse/legalny-hazard). You will find a ready, verified list of 17 legal bookmakers in our list of legal bookmakers.
How to recognise an illegal operator and why it is worth steering clear of one is explained in detail in our guide legal or illegal bookmakers.
Step 2: account registration
Registering with a legal bookmaker (e.g. STS, Fortuna or Superbet) is free and takes a few minutes. It requires providing real details: first name, surname, PESEL number and contact details. This information is needed for age verification (18+) and identity verification, as required by the Gambling Act.
- Open an account on the operator’s website from the current MF list.
- Fill in your personal details to match your identity document.
- Confirm your email address and phone number.
Step 3: identity verification
A legal bookmaker must confirm that you are of legal age and that it is you who is opening the account. Verification is usually carried out by submitting a scan of your ID, a quick verification transfer or an e-identity service. Without completed verification you will not be able to withdraw your winnings — this is a protection mechanism, not an obstacle. Full verification is also one of the differences between a legal operator and an illegal one, which often “asks no questions” only to block the payout later.
Step 4: deposit and a responsible budget
For deposits, legal bookmakers offer convenient and secure methods: BLIK, instant transfers, payment cards, and some also Apple Pay / Google Pay. Before you deposit, set a budget whose loss won’t hurt you, and treat it as the cost of entertainment. We describe sensible money management in our guide bankroll management (the 1–3% staking strategy).
Step 5: place your first bet
To place your first betslip knowingly, you need to understand two things: odds (how much you can win) and the type of bet (what exactly you are predicting). We explain both topics in separate guides:
- How to read betting odds — decimal odds, probability and the bookmaker’s margin.
- Types of bets (1X2, over/under, handicap, accumulator) — from the simplest pick to the accumulator.
Remember that the odds you see can shift before you confirm your betslip — for the reasons behind that, see our guide to why betting odds change.
To begin with, choose a single 1X2 bet on a match you know well, and stake a small amount set in advance. Once the event is settled, you will immediately see how the odds translate into a win. Don’t rush — treat your first betslips as learning, not as a way to make quick money. Every experienced bettor started with simple, single picks.
Step 6: remember the tax and the rules
With a legal bookmaker you don’t have to settle the tax yourself — the operator pays the 12% gaming tax (calculated on the total of the stakes you place) on your behalf. Separately, when a single win exceeds PLN 2,280, the licensed bookmaker also automatically withholds a 10% income tax on that whole win (not only on the amount above the threshold) and remits it to the tax office — the payout reaches your account already settled, with no extra formalities on your side. How this works and how it affects your real return is explained in our guide tax on betting winnings.
How to choose the right bookmaker for you
All the operators in our list are legal, but they differ in their strengths — it is worth matching your choice to your priorities:
- Widest offer and app — market leader STS.
- Comparing odds — check the same event at AdmiralBet and Betclic.
- Experienced brand and land-based outlets — Fortuna.
You don’t have to limit yourself to one — comparing odds across several legal operators is a sensible practice that we describe in our guide how to read odds.
The most common beginner mistakes
Before you set off, it is worth knowing the traps that most often catch new players:
- Choosing an illegal operator — tempted by a “better” bonus, a player ends up on a site without an MF licence, risking their funds and their payout. Always check the MF list.
- Playing without a budget — the lack of a set amount leads to impulsive deposits.
- Placing big accumulators at the start — they tempt with the odds but rarely come in; it is better to start with single picks.
- Betting on emotion — backing your favourite team instead of cool analysis.
Each of these mistakes is easy to eliminate by building your play on the three pillars of our series: a legal operator (list), an understanding of odds and bankroll discipline.
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| 1. Choice | Operator from the MF list (check the ranking) |
| 2. Registration | Account with real details (18+) |
| 3. Verification | Confirmation of identity and legal age |
| 4. Deposit | BLIK / transfer, a set budget |
| 5. Bet | Single 1X2, small stake |
| 6. Withdrawal | After verification, 12% tax handled by the operator |
Frequently asked questions
Where should a beginner start with betting?
By choosing a bookmaker with a current permit from the Minister of Finance — you will find a ready list in our list of legal bookmakers. Then open an account with real details, complete verification, set a budget and place a small, single 1X2 bet on a match you know well.
Do I need to provide my PESEL to bet?
Yes. A legal bookmaker is obliged to verify your legal age and identity, which is why it requires real details, including your PESEL number. This is a player-protection mechanism stemming from the Gambling Act, not a pointless formality.
How much money do you need to start?
There is no fixed amount — start with a budget whose loss won’t hurt you, and treat it as the cost of entertainment. A sensible rule is to stake 1–3% of your budget on a single bet; we describe it in our guide bankroll management.