The Portuguese Online Gambling and Betting Association’s (APAJO) annual study revealed that 41% of all players use unlicensed gambling platforms. Among age groups between 18 to 34, that figure rises to more than half – 52.1%.

APAJO, whose members include Betclic and Bwin, has previously filed criminal complaints against social media influencers promoting illegal sites. Its 2024 Portugal study found that the main reasons for users’ preference for unlicensed platforms are the higher bonuses, the higher odds and the greater range of games. Those who prefer licensed platforms highlight security (61.3%) and better customer support (37.3%).

Among those surveyed for the “Portuguese Online Gambling Habits 2024” study, around 90% knew that it is illegal to offer gambling services without a licence in Portugal. APAJO said there are four illegal operators in the national top 15 online gambling platforms.

Ricardo Domingues, president of APAJO, said licenced operators, the legislature and regulator must work together to reach a channelisation rate of at least 80%. He warned of the “imminent danger to user safety” that illegal platforms represent.

“At this moment, illegal operators are mostly shady projects that blatantly try to exploit the ease with which they can reach Portuguese audiences while avoiding all consumer protection rules and paying taxes,” Domingues said. “This type of organisation puts players at all kinds of risk, from their balances to their personal and financial data, and they even engage in predatory behaviour towards vulnerable audiences.”

Illegal betting site users in Portugal wager more

The Portuguese Online Gambling Habits study expanded its sample to 1,000 people this year. The study methodology identifies who actually gambles with licensed or illegal operators and separately asks players to declare whether they gamble on unlicensed platforms.

According to the study, 71.5% of respondents claim to spend up to a maximum of €50 (£42.70/$54.90 per month, although the majority spend less than €25. Of those who only bet with licensed operators, 77.6% gamble less than €50 per month. APAJO said the percentage of users in Portugal in the highest spending segments is “substantially higher” among players who bet with illegal operators.

Regarding responsible gaming tools, 78.2% of players say they are aware of their existence at licensed operators and 43.3% say they have already used them or are currently using them.

Domingues added: “We must also not forget the tax revenues that are lost, which we estimate to amount to more than €100m. It would be crucial to prevent these operators from promoting themselves through social networks, influencers and sponsored articles in the Portuguese media and from offering payment methods such as Multibanco and MBWay.”

APAJO has sought to combat illegal gambling, filing several criminal complaints last month against influencers who advertise illegal gambling platforms. Influencer Cláudia Nayara was the subject of a complaint in early 2024.

APAJO said: “These are people who promote unlicensed operators through affiliate links and profit from this activity.”

Last year, APAJO launched its “My Game is Serious” campaign to promote responsible gambling. The campaign featured the participation of a wide range of influencers.

Portugal has seen a rise in takings across its legal online gambling market. It has set online gambling revenue records in consecutive quarters for more than a year.