Gamblers Challenge Portuguese Tax Laws

A group of online gamblers in Portugal are asking that country’s government to change its tax laws on online casino gambling after betting company Betclic said Portugal claimed 66 percent of its Portuguese revenue. Portugal’s National Association of Online Gamblers has a petition with 4,600 signatures which argues that taxes on online gambling should be reduced.

Portugal’s National Association of Online Gamblers has reacted to claims by Betclic that Portugal took 66 percent of its in-country revenue in taxes by challenging the tax laws.

The association says it has a petition with 4,600 which argues that taxes on online gambling should be reduced. Betclic Everest Group were the first company to receive an online sports betting license in Portugal but director Humbert Michaud said taxes had claimed nearly 66 percent of Betclic’s Portuguese revenue, according to a report at casinopedia.com.

Michaud said the company may have to consider its future in the country if tax relief is not introduced.

Online casino and poker operators licensed in Portugal pay a variable tax rate, starting with sites generating less than €5m a year in revenue paying a rate of 15 percent and growing as revenue increases, reaching a maximum of 30 percent, the report said.