APAJO, the Portuguese online gambling and betting trade association, has issued a warning. They believe the country is neglecting the issue of unlicensed gambling. The 2024 Portuguese Online Gambling Habits Survey shows that 41 percent of players in Portugal used unlicensed platforms. It rises to 52.1 per cent for players ages between 18 and 34.
APAJO previously filed criminal complaints against social media influencers. This is for promoting unlicensed sites. The survey revealed the main reasons users chose unlicensed platforms. Higher bonuses, better odds, and a wider variety of games attracted them. Meanwhile, for those who preferred licensed platforms, 61.3 per cent quoted increased security. 37.3 per cent also highlighted better customer support.
90 per cent of the 1,000 respondents stated that they knew it was illegal for operators to offer gambling services without a license in Portugal. According to APAJO, four unlicensed operators ranked among the top 15 most-used online gambling platforms in the country.
Ricardo Domingues, president of APAJO said that the situation represented an imminent danger to user safety. Licensed operators need to collaborate with lawmakers and the national gambling regulator. Their goal is to achieve a channelization rate of at least 80 percent.
He said that at the moment, illegal operators are mostly shady businesses that blatantly try to exploit the ease with which they can reach Portuguese audiences while avoiding consumer protection rules and taxes. This type of organization puts players at all kinds of risks, from their balances to their personal and financial data. They even engage in predatory behavior towards vulnerable audiences.
Domingues added that the lost tax revenues, estimated to exceed €100 million, must not be overlooked. He emphasized the importance of preventing these operators from promoting themselves through social networks, influencers, and sponsored articles in the Portuguese media. Additionally, it is crucial to stop them from offering payment methods like Multibanco and MBWay.
