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Polish President Lech Kaczyński signed the gambling bill, but has doubts as to whether it is in line with the country's constitution.

The head of the president's chancellery, Władysław Stasiak, said on Friday that although the president signed the act, he plans to turn it over to the Constitutional Tribunal for approval.

Mr Kaczyński is concerned with the short time MPs took in preparing the bill. The draft was drawn up at double speed after a scandal involving gambling industry figures and government officials broke out in late September. It was passed by the Parliament on November 20.

The bill raises taxes on gambling and limits the use of low-yielding slot machines. If the bill passes into law, such machines will no longer be granted a permit, and will gradually disappear from places other than casinos over the next five years.

“The gambling bill is a chance to limit pathologies connected to gambling, especially when it comes to children and youngsters,” Mr Stasiak told reporters. However, he stressed, the quick way in which it was prepared raises concerns.