68% of Portuguese online players gamble on unregulated sites

st 70% of Portugal’s online players have gambled in unregulated sites, according to a recently-published study.

A report commissioned by the Remote Gambling Association (RGA) has found that 68% of all Portuguese who gamble online have wagering in illegal websites since 2015 when the new regulatory framework was introduced.

According to the data compiled by the local consultancy firm Eurogroup Consulting, approximately 38% of Portugal’s online gamblers have only placed bets with unlicensed operators and 30% have gambled on both unregulated and regulated sites.

Moreover, only 39% of all online gambling operations have taken place within the legal framework. Respondents said that they choose unlicensed gaming operators due to the fact these ones offer better odds.

In its latest research, the RGA argues that Portugal has failed to provide a healthy ecosystem for legal operators. The Remote Gambling Association, which represents some of the world’s largest operators, has previously criticised the country’s taxation system that taxes sports betting operators based on their turnover; while most of regulated jurisdictions around the globe tax in accordance to gross gambling revenue.

Following the release, the RGA has called for an immediate review of Portuguese gambling laws. However, lawmakers suggested such review will be two years after the first online license was issued; therefore, it is not likely to happen until May 2018.