PokerStars to be "first in line" for Portugal licence
Poker giant confirms plans to apply for a licence in re-regulating country, asks affiliates to stop marketing to players
PokerStars plans to be among the “first in line” to apply for a licence in the re-regulating Portuguese market, the operator confirmed to eGaming Review this morning.
The poker giant said it supported the local regulation of online poker and had asked its affiliates to stop marketing to players in Portugal ahead of the licensing process planned for later this year.
“We fully expect to apply for a licence in Portugal so we can provide a fun, safe and competitive environment for Portuguese consumers to enjoy online poker,” Michael Josem, PokerStars head of public relations, told eGR.
However the firm would not confirm whether it would launch its new casino and sportsbook products in the market.
Portugal’s new licensing and regulatory framework went live on Monday, with a number of operators such as William Hill and PKR having already withdrawn from the market.
And while William Hill hinted at a possible return to Portugal in the future, a PKR spokesman told eGR the country was “unviable” and that it would not be applying for a licence.
Portugal’s new regulatory regime has faced criticism from the industry, particularly over plans to tax sports betting operators up to 16% on turnover and 30% on gaming revenues, leading one gaming exec to predict a “very large” black market.