Latest figures from the gambling regulatory body of Portugal shows that the nation’s market enjoyed record revenue in the final financial quarter of 2017, largely credited to a surge in sports betting.
Figures from Serviço Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos do Turismo de Portugal (SRIJ) showed that the seven locally-licensed online gambling operators generated combined revenue of €36.5m in the three months to 31st December, nearly €10m higher than the same period of the previous year.
Overall, Portuguese gambling generated €122.6m in online gambling revenue during the first full year of new regulation in the country. A 12% sports betting turnover tax led to the Iberian state’s government taking in €54.2m of this amount.
Sports wagering was the main source of income for operators in Portugal during 2017, with revenue generated reaching €68.1m. Unsurprisingly, football accounted for over three quarters of these bets.
Online casino, including poker, totalled €54.4m, with slots leading the way after bringing in 45% of this amount, ahead of poker cash games on 19.7%, French roulette with a 19.2% share, blackjack on 9.2% and poker tournaments pm 6.7%.
Portugal launched its new regulated online gambling market in May 2016.