In Portugal, survey reveals 41% of players use illegal platforms

Portugal’s Leading Gambling Association Raises Alarms Over User Safety Amid Surge of Unlicensed Operators

The Portuguese Online Gambling and Betting Association (APAJO) has issued a critical warning regarding the escalating risks to consumer safety, following the findings of its latest annual survey. This alarming data signifies a growing trend of Portuguese players gravitating towards unlicensed gambling platforms.

The “Portuguese Online Gambling Habits 2024” study reveals a shocking statistic: 41% of surveyed players engage with unlicensed operators, with this figure soaring to 52.1% among the 18 to 34 age demographic. This trend raises significant concerns for both player safety and market integrity.

APAJO, representing major licensed operators like Betclic and Bwin, has actively tackled this issue by filing criminal complaints against social media influencers promoting illegal platforms. The 2024 study highlights that players gravitate towards unlicensed sites primarily due to attractive bonuses, higher odds, and a broader selection of games. Conversely, users on licensed platforms cite security (61.3%) and superior customer support (37.3%) as driving factors for their choices.

Despite the strong awareness of legality—approximately 90% of participants recognize that offering gambling services without a license is illegal in Portugal—APAJO reported troubling findings: four unlicensed operators are listed among the nation’s top 15 online gambling platforms.

APAJO President, Ricardo Domingues, emphasized the urgent need for collaboration among licensed operators, legislators, and regulators to achieve a channelization rate of at least 80%. He voiced serious concerns over the “imminent danger to user safety” posed by illegal platforms.

“Currently, illegal operators represent dubious ventures that exploit the ease of reaching Portuguese consumers while bypassing essential consumer protection measures and tax obligations,” stated Domingues. “This type of organization exposes players to various risks, including financial losses, data compromises, and predatory practices that particularly target vulnerable individuals.”

Illegal Betting Operators: A Financial Risk for Users

The “Portuguese Online Gambling Habits 2024” study, which expanded its participant base to 1,000 individuals this year, employed a methodology that distinguishes between gamblers using licensed and illegal operators. This approach also encouraged participants to self-report their engagement with unlicensed platforms.

Findings indicate that 71.5% of respondents spend a maximum of €50 (£42.70/$54.90) monthly on gambling, with a majority limiting their expenditure to less than €25. Among those who exclusively wager with licensed operators, 77.6% report monthly spending under €50. Notably, the study found that a significantly higher percentage of users betting on illegal platforms fall into the high-spending category.

Awareness of responsible gaming tools is also an important finding: 78.2% of players are aware of these resources at licensed operators, and 43.3% have used or currently utilize them.

Domingues remarked, “It is essential to consider the substantial tax revenues that the country is losing due to this situation, estimated to exceed €100 million. We must take steps to curtail these operators from promoting their services on social media, through influencers, and via sponsored content in Portuguese media, as well as restricting their access to payment methods like Multibanco and MBWay.”

To combat illegal gambling activities, APAJO filed multiple complaints recently against influencers who promote these unlicensed operators. Notable among these was a complaint lodged against influencer Cláudia Nayara at the beginning of 2024.

APAJO remarked, “These individuals are capitalizing on affiliate links that lead to unlicensed operators, profiting from this unethical behavior.”

In a proactive response to gambling issues, APAJO launched the “My Game is Serious” campaign last year, emphasizing responsible gambling practices and featuring numerous influencers to raise awareness.

Despite these challenges, Portugal’s legal online gambling sector has witnessed remarkable growth, consistently setting revenue records over several quarters, highlighting the potential for a well-regulated gambling market to thrive.