Portugal’s iGaming Trade Association Files Complaints against Influencers

The Portuguese Online Betting and Gaming Association (APAJO) has announced it filed criminal complaints against social media influencers who allegedly promoted unlicensed gambling to their respective audiences across the country.

In its complaint, the association claimed that several social media influencers with a combined audience of nearly 3 million, were involved in the marketing and promotion of illegal online gambling.

This, APAJO said, undermines the licensed and regulated gambling sector in the country that pays taxes and provides customers with fair conditions.

In a statement, APAJO confirmed that social media influencers Numeiro, Claudia Nayara, Bruno Savate and GODMOTA, are subject to the recent criminal complaints. The Portuguese influencers have a growing subscriber base of 2.8 million followers within their different social media channels.

APAJO claimed that the social media personalities promoted operators such as BC Game, Stake, Betify, Vem Apostar! and Weiss, among others. The promotional content, which was distributed via Twitch and TikTok, allegedly reached a number of minors.

Yet, no solid data or report confirmed what percentage of the social media personalities’ audiences were below the legal age required for gambling in Portugal which is 18 years old.

Also, it is important to note that the criminal complaints do not necessarily mean that the accused are guilty as such accusations need to be proven in a court of law.

The Association Remains Dedicated to Fighting Illegal Gambling

Ricardo Domingues, APAJO’s president, who was recently quoted by Diario de Noticias, highlighted the Association’s ongoing efforts against illegal online gambling. He spoke about the growing illegal iGaming sector, warning that such issues remain unnoticed.

Domingues added: “Illegal operators probably expose hundreds of thousands of people to risky environments, accessible even to minors, without any guarantees of safety.” The executive estimated that the country loses €100 million ($107.4 million) in taxes annually to the illegal gambling sector.

“The fight against illegal online gambling through legal and other means must be a priority and the licensed sector wants to highlight the importance of this issue, which is still largely ignored.“

Ricardo Domingues, president at APAJO

Besides the criminal complaints, APAJO asked lawmakers to grant additional rights to Portugal’s gambling regulator, Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos (SRIJ). The Association also compared the growing illegal online gambling sector to an “epidemic,” saying that such unlawful activities must be discontinued.