Portugal is a country in the southwestern part of the Iberian Peninsula in Europe the capital of which is Lisbon. To the east and north, it is bordered by Spain while to the west and south, it is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. The size of the country is 92,226 square km and the country is blessed with 832km of coastal line. Aside from the beautiful scenery, the country has an impressive legal system when it comes to sports betting and gambling and its laws that apply to Portugal bookmakers are very comprehensive.
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Table of Contents
Summary of Key Events
Licensing and Regulation
To operate an online betting business in Portugal, one has to apply for a license from the Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos do Turismo de Portugal (SRIJ). This authority guarantees that the operators fulfill such conditions as the integrity of the business, its financial stability, and technical competence.
Relevant Authorities and Legislation
The regulation of gaming operations in Portugal is in the hands of the Comissão de Jogos (Gambling Commission) and the SRIJ. The SRIJ, even though it is an entity of the organic structure of Turismo de Portugal, works with technical and functional independence.
The primary pieces of legislation governing gambling include:
- Decree-Law No. 422/89 (Gaming Law): Sets out the legal basis for the conduct of business related to land based casino gaming.
- Decree-Law No. 66/2015 (Online Gaming Law): Describes the legal framework for online gaming.
- Decree-Law No. 31/2011 (Bingo Law): Relates to the regulation of bingo halls.
Additional relevant legislation includes:
- Law No. 83/2017: Prevention of money laundering and terrorism financing rules.
- Law No. 8/2006: Concerns the procedure of employment of casino croupiers or dealers.
- Decree-Law No. 330/1990: Ad Code.
History of Gambling Laws
- 1783: The first legal gambling was the national lottery as evidenced by the first written record of it.
- 1916: Casino Estoril, the most popular and the first casino of Portugal is established.
- 1970: The increase in casinos in the period of Antonia Salazar’s rule.
- 1989: Contemporary legislation in gambling was developed, allowing more kinds of chance games.
- 2015: Legalization and regulation of online gambling.
Regulatory of Portugal Bookmakers
The SRIJ is the main regulatory body that has jurisdiction over all forms of gambling that include the traditional land based and the modern online gambling. It regulates the issuance of licenses, controls and inspects gambling operators to guarantee the compliance with the Portuguese legislation.
Types of Licenses
Given this, private entities are allowed to provide online gaming products as long as they apply for the necessary permits. Four types of licenses are available:
- Fixed-odds sports betting
- Pari-mutuel and fixed odds horse racing betting
- Online bingo
- Online games of chance
License Duration
- Land-Based Gaming: The period is stated in the documents of public procurement. For instance, the term of the Estoril/Lisbon casino concession is 15 years and it is renewable for another 5 years.
- Online Gaming: It is for three years and can be renewed for further three years’ periods provided that all legal requirements are met.
Taxes and Fees of Portugal Bookmakers
The gambling tax rates in Portugal vary depending on the type of activity:
- Bingo Halls: 50% on Bingo prizes.
- Lotteries: 4. 5% of sales of the tickets or 20% of the total prize money provided that the latter is more than €5000.
- Online Gambling: Twenty five percent on gross revenue.
- Online Horse Racing Betting: 25% on the total gross revenue of the generated service.
- Online Fixed-Odds Sports Betting: Eight percent from the total of the bets made or thirty-five percent if the players bet with each other.
While gambling is not subjected to VAT, normal corporate taxes have to be paid by the company. Winnings are also not subject to personal income tax as well as stamp duty.
Penalties for Unlawful Gambling
Persons engaging in land based gaming operations in an area other than a legally authorized area commits an offense and is liable to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years and or a fine. The banned online gaming activities are criminal offenses and the offender faces imprisonment or a fine.
Bookmakers and Sports Betting
The sports betting industry in Portugal is pretty developed with 17 operators and 30 licenses issued in 2022. The licenses concern 13 types of sports betting and 17 types of games of chance with the gross gaming revenue of EUR 656. 1 million in 2022.
Prohibited and Allowed Bets
- Prohibited: ’Fantasy betting’ which is a system of having pay to support a ‘league’ or ‘portfolio’ choice over time is prohibited.
- Allowed: Sports betting, pari-mutuel and fixed odds horse racing wagering, bingo over the Internet, and games of chance over the Internet.
Sporting Event Glory Milestones
Portugal has a rich sporting history, marked by several significant achievements:
- 1989: Portugal Tennis Open began.
- 1994: Crowned UEFA Under-21 champions.
- 2016: Just some of the achievements include; They won the UEFA European Championship.
- 2019: Play final of UEFA Nations League.
- 2021: FIFA Confederations Cup.
Conclusion
Hence, one is able to conclude that Portugal has a coherent system of regulation of gambling and sports betting. It is rich in operational and players’ licensing and regulation standards that make the environment favorable for both operators and players alike. The nation’s historical background in sports and the sound legal framework of gambling attract HNWIs and sports fans around the globe.
FAQ of Portugal Bookmakers
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