Poll: Has the Portuguese market been a success?
Little more than a year since the first licence was handed out, the market has four licensees
On 25 May 2016 Betclic Everest became the first operator to receive a licence for the newly regulated Portuguese market.
In the year that has passed, a further three operators have entered the market, with the four active companies holding a total of six licences between them.
While gaming is taxed at on a GGR basis, controversially Portugal opted for a turnover-based sports betting levy, a decision criticised by many, including the RGA.
Depending on volume, the levy spread is between 8% and 16% of turnover. Betclic recently told EGR Intel its rate was averaging out at around 14%, making it more punitive than the 12% on offer in Poland.
However, with only two sports betting operators active, both Betclic and the SBTech-powered Bet.pt have been able to take a large slice of the pie, although this dominance will be contested when the state-run Santa Casa enters the market either late this year or early next.
While no official performance numbers have yet been made available, estimates vary from €60m of annual GGR to €120m, while SBTech told EGR Intel the market was performing “well above expectations”.
So with this in mind, this week’s EGR Intel poll asks whether the first 12 months of regulated online operations in Portugal has been a success, or has its sports betting turnover tax quashed the market’s potential. Have your say below.