BLIK to block payments to illegal gambling sites

Starting in September, the BLIK payment system will implement a new mechanism to automatically reject transactions directed toward illegal gambling websites. Developed by Polski Standard Płatności, the system will cross-reference the destination website against a blacklist of prohibited domains maintained by the Polish Ministry of Finance. This measure aims to combat the grey market and assist in enforcing gambling regulations. The change has received approval from the President of the National Bank of Poland.

In addition to these restrictions, users should be aware of potential currency conversion costs when using BLIK for certain services. While BLIK is primarily designed for PLN transactions, costs can arise if a service provider maintains balances in other currencies, such as EUR or USD. These costs may manifest as exchange rate differences or hidden currency margins applied by banks or payment intermediaries during the settlement process.