The existing Portuguese law currently restricts gambling to casinos, bingos and social games (lotteries and sports betting) organized by a charitable institution called Santa Casa da Mesericórdia.
The Portuguese Parliament has recently authorized the Government to legislate on the legal framework of the operation and playing of on-line games, namely:
- online gaming and betting - legal regime of exploitation of gambling, horse racing betting, mutual and odds-type bets, and also bets on sports, when made through electronic, informatics, telematics and interactive systems;
- land-based betting - legal regime of exploitation of land-based horse racing betting, mutual and odds-type bets, and also bets on sports.
The authorization also includes several amendments to other related laws: Criminal and Misdemeanors Laws; Tax Law; Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Corruption Laws; Data Protection Laws and Advertising Law, which until now prohibited any type of advertising to gambling.
It is expected that the Government will create an "open market," with a system of licenses similar to the ones already in place in France, Spain, and Italy.
The government now has 6 months to legislate on this matter.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
