Poland restricts gambling outside casinos

Gambling will be made illegal for individuals below 18 years of age under the law.

Poland's parliament on Friday adopted a law that confines gambling to casinos and phases out the slot machines currently in many Polish cafes, clubs, shops and service stations.

- Barring any surprises, I hope the president will be able to affix his signature as of November 30 - Prime Minister Donald Tusk said when presenting the project two days ago.

The Senate voted in favour of the project with 48 votes to 3, and 30 abstentions.

The law received the green light from the lower chamber on Thursday, and now requires the signature of Polish President, Lech Kaczynski, before it can come into effect.

Gambling will be made illegal for individuals below 18 years of age under the law.

The decision by parliament comes nearly a month and a half after Tusk was forced to sack several key ministers and political allies over allegations of influence peddling within his cabinet regarding the gambling legislation.