A new General Manager for the National Polish Lottery has been found after several attempts to fill the position and give a jumpstart to the ailing state-controlled operation, Totalizator Sportowoy (TS). The former security advisor for TS, Jacek Kalida is the new man for the job, which the company is now referring to as Political Commissioner.  Although this might be a broad title for one who manages a lottery operation, the description is not far off considering that Kalida will be forced to make decisions within a political scene, not to mention the fact that he will have to deal with several political influences.

This was precisely one of the downfalls for TS leading up to its present condition. Under the helm of bad management decisions, lottery sales took a steady drop and have not shown any signs of improving. However, as part of Poland's plan to economically liberalize themselves, they are turning away from state-run companies and encouraging the development of the private sector. Through the passing of a relatively new law that sets forth conditions on developing new firms as well as privatizing small and medium-sized state-controlled companies, Poland is gradually building up its economy.

TS, on the other hand, is considered a large-sized state operation and will still be under state control. However, unlike the top private gambling operators in Poland - Bwin, Betsson, SportingBet and Expek - who must essentially fend for themselves, TS enjoys governmental support in the form of exemptions. For instance, the aforementioned online gambling companies are all subject to Poland's anti-gambling advertisement law - but TS is not. On the other hand, TS is given freedom for brand awareness and is used to sponsor government events.

The bottom line is that TS pays their taxes. But with a decrease in lottery sales and business being lost to online casinos and sportsbooks, The Polish National Lottery was faced to make some serious changes. Some of these changes could be in the form of a change to the Polish Gaming Act, which would allow TS to go online and compete with gaming sites and casinos. Poland's ruling party, Law and Justice, has put these sentiments off as hopeful rumors.