The New Legal Framework for Online Gaming and Betting

The publication of Decree-Law 66/2015 of 29 April finally approved the New Legal Framework for Online Gaming and Betting (Novo Regime Jurídico dos Jogos e Apostas Online – "RJO"). This new legislation regulates the operation of online gaming and betting – games of chance, odds-based sports betting and totalisator and odds-based betting in horse racing.

With the entry into force of the RJO on 28 June, the operation of online gaming and betting activities will be allocated, by licence, to private legal entities incorporated in the form of a public limited company or equivalent. These entities must have their seat in a Member State of the EU or in a signatory State of the Agreement on the European Economic Area that is bound by administrative cooperation in the field of taxation and the fight against fraud. In the case of foreign companies, they must have a branch in Portugal.