Based on 1,008 interviews with players aged 18 to 65, the study “Online Gambling Habits of the Portuguese,” conducted by the communication company AXIMAGE for the Portuguese Association of Online Betting and Gaming (APAJO), reveals that “40% of Portuguese continue to bet on illegal platforms.”
The percentage rises to 43% among users between 18 and 34 years old.
The study also reveals that users who turn to illegal platforms gamble more frequently and spend more money.
“Among those who play exclusively with licensed operators, 5.2% spend between 100 euros and 500 euros, and 1% spend more than 500 euros. Among those who resort to illegal operators, 15% spend between 100 euros and 500 euros, and 5% spend more than 500,” APAJO stated to Lusa.
The association indicated that players on illegal platforms face risks and consequences, one of them being a fine of up to 2,500 euros.
APAJO also warned that users of illegal operators expose themselves to unsupervised companies “with predatory tendencies that are not obligated to guarantee the protection of deposited money, winnings, or the players’ data.”
According to APAJO, players on illegal platforms do not benefit from the responsible gaming protections that exist in the regulated market.
Regarding legal betting platforms, the association said that licensed sites must ensure the safety of deposited money and players’ profits.
Legal operators have mandatory banking guarantees, the association added.
The association also emphasized the existence of a regulator overseeing the licensed operators, to which users can turn if necessary.
Participants in the study who use legal betting sites stated that they prefer licensed platforms due to greater security, customer support, and faster money withdrawal.
Regarding illegal operators, the value of bets is one of the reasons contributing to preference due to more accessible and attractive pricing for users.
Other reasons for players using illegal operators include promotions and a diverse offering, according to the study.
To combat betting on illegal platforms, the APAJO president, quoted in a statement, calls on “the Government, the Assembly of the Republic, the involved regulators, and all other public and private stakeholders” for effective results by 2026, marking the 10th anniversary of the launch of the first licensed operators.
“Urgent measures are necessary. We cannot continue lamenting without acting,” said Ricardo Domingues, who urged that by 2026, access to payment methods associated with Portuguese banks for illegal betting operators should end, and the promotion of unlicensed platforms on social media or any other medium, including by influencers and digital content creators, should be prohibited.
The exclusion of illegal operators from search engine results and artificial intelligence platforms is also part of the demands.
The association also calls for a permanent monitoring system and quick blocking of illegal sites and applications.
In the list of the 15 most used gaming platforms by Portuguese users, the top four are illegal, the same ones that were at the top in 2019, according to the research.
