Portugal Takes New Gambling Laws Out of a Controversial Budget
Key Takeaways
  • The latest Portuguese budget was expected to include laws to liberalize the online gaming market, but the government has now decided that they should be included in a stand-alone bill.
  • The Troika directing Portugal’s finances has been promised that tax revenues from online gambling will be forthcoming, so the non-inclusion of gambling in the budget is not thought likely to derail the government’s commitment to the plans.
  • In 2011, a report suggested that the government could raise around €250m in tax revenues from a regulated market. Tax rates in the region of 15% to 25% have been suggested as probable.

The latest Portuguese budget was expected to include laws to liberalize the online gaming market, but the government has now decided that they should be included in a stand-alone bill.