The article explores how regulatory decision-makers in Poland and the EU make choices under risky and uncertain conditions. Through experiments with top management, it was found that certain psychological factors influence decision preferences, such as a preference for certainty, avoiding losses, and sticking to the status quo. The study also revealed that there is no clear connection between stated risk preferences and actual decision-making behavior. The findings suggest the need to consider decision-makers' cognitive tendencies when designing decision-making frameworks in public settings.