Part 3: RAIG and the regulatory push and pull
Yet, if the number of market participants operator association APAJO, says the number
has been held back due to the tax rates, gross of active accounts measured places Portugal
gaming revenues have sustained reasonable in the average range for accounts per head of
growth since the new regime was instigated in population across Europe and in line with the
2015, with 24% growth seen last year. Indeed, figures from France and Spain.
growth in the first half accelerated and was up
36% to €95.6m.
Still, the market remains small and hopes that
Moreover, and this is definitely worth bearing
in mind when it comes to affiliate activity in
and around Portugal, Oliveira cites research
the government might revisit the tax rates issue undertaken by APAJO that suggests that
are in abeyance after a government working group an increasing number of gamblers play with
missed a reporting deadline earlier this year. licensed websites because they appreciate that
these sites are more secure and that pay-outs
Player numbers
The relatively underdeveloped market is
will be quicker.
“The survey also found out that Portuguese
confirmed by the latest data from the Gambling customers are extremely well informed about
Regulation and Inspection Service (SRIJ), which which operators hold licenses and which do
suggested there were circa 297,000 active not,” he added. “In fact, after three years into
accounts in the first half. This compares with the opening, the top four chosen operators by
a cumulative player account number of 1.41m customers are all licensed in Portugal.”
registered since 2016.
Oliveira believes the regulatory embrace
The data showed that just under 50% of clearly evident in the UK and Holland of late is
the first half total made a sports bet only, 35% finding echoes in the Portuguese market. “We
played casino only and only 14% engaged with see today that the risk appetite diminishes with
both products. this stricter approach on behalf of regulators,”
Gabino Oliveira, president of the Portuguese
iGaming Business • Affiliate Monitor • October 2019
he says.
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