Portuguese government claims channelisation victory
Lawmakers also confirm adoption of new advertising window limiting ads to between 7am and 10:30pm
Portugal’s Ministry of the Economy has said the Portuguese regulated market has met the objectives set out in its regulation of online gambling, including channelisation rates.
In a statement defending Portugal’s current regulatory framework, the ministry cited increasing demand for regulated Portuguese gambling sites, pointing to a recent 48% increase in online gambling revenue during Q1.
The Portuguese regulator (SRIJ) recently reported year-on-year rises in all major verticals, together with a significant increase in new player registrations with regulated operators.
“The demand for online gambling in the regulated market is demonstrating the fact that players identify this as a means that offers guarantees of reliability and security, where they can place your bets securely, protected and with confidence and having a regulatory body (the SRIJ) to which they can turn, if necessary,” the ministry said.
“This is, therefore, evidence that the primary objective underlying the regulation of online gambling in Portugal has been achieved,” the Ministry of the Economy added.
The government has also revealed it will limit gambling advertising on TV, radio and online to between the hours of 7am and 10:30pm, as well as publishing a best practice framework for operators.
While the window has not been formally adopted into Portuguese gambling law, EGR understands SRIJ and several other trade associations, including Associação Portuguesa de Apostas e Jogos Online (APAJO), have agreed to operate on this basis.
This forms part of a wider responsible gambling plan currently being drawn up by the Portuguese government in response to concerns about the effect of gambling advertising on Portuguese citizens.
The framework targets misleading advertising and any ad that includes so-called encouragement messaging, as well as any advertisements aimed at minors.
It aims to complement existing Portuguese gambling advertising laws, without the need for further amendment to legislation.