Portugal is set to introduce online gambling restrictions for the duration of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis.

A bill demanding action to limit online gambling during the crisis, introduced by members of the environmentalist Partido das Pessoas, dos Animais e da Natureza (PAN), has been passed by the Portuguese parliament.

Though the bill doesn’t detail specific restrictions, it demands “partial or total limitations on access to online gambling platforms.” It also referenced neighbouring Spain, which has restricted audiovisual gambling communications to between 1am and 5am for the duration of the lockdown.

The authors of the bill claim that online gaming revenue has increased 18% year-on-year in Portugal since the country entered a state of emergency on 18 March.

The bill came into effect on 9 April, giving the Portuguese government five working days to introduce the regulations – which means they should be in effect from next Monday. The regulations will stay in effect until the state of emergency in the country is lifted.

The bill was supported by the governing Socialist Party, the Left Bloc, Unitary Democratic Coalition, the Libertal Initiative and Libre parties. It was, however, opposed by the main opposition party, the Social Democrats, along with the CDS People’s Party and Chego.

AYO.NEWS says:

As we have said before, the longer the COVID-19 crisis drags on, the more likely we are to see draconian online gambling restrictions and bans. In addition to Portugal and Spain, we’ve also seen weekly wagering limits introduced in Belgium, while Swedish operators have been warned of “extraordinary measures” unless they reduce online gambling activity, and regulators in the UK and Malta have urged operators to maintain the highest standards of social responsibility to avoid further measures.

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