A new legal framework for online gambling in Portugal, which has been under discussion for several years, finally seems to be moving ahead.
On 19 June 2014, the Council of Ministers approved a proposal for a law that will allow the Government to create a legal framework and regulate the operation and playing of online gambling - and tax it.
This plan will allow the Portuguese Government to combat illegal gambling and to develop social policies through the distribution of revenues resulting from the activity.
The new legal framework is intended to cover a broad range of online games (casino games, poker, gaming machines, bingo, sports betting and the odds betting on horse races) when made available online, as well as 'land-based' bets.
The creation of a special tax for online gambling is widely expected.
According to statements made by the Secretary of State for Tourism, the intention is to create an ‘open model’ allowing, under license, the operation of online gambling by any company interested in developing the activity in Portugal.
It is expected that Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa will retain the exclusive right over the social games and on the “land-based” bets.
The details of the proposal are subject to future discussion and approval by the Portuguese Parliament but the hunt is on for more tax revenue so this period will be as short as possible.
________
More information is available from specialist lawyer Nuno Azevedo Neves, a partner in the ABBC law firm in Lisbon.
