Portugal Targets Illegal Online Gambling as Europe Faces Growing Black Market Pressure

Portugal 29 June 2026, 16:18

Portugal is preparing new legislation to strengthen its response to unlicensed online gambling, amid concerns over consumer safety, lost public revenue and unfair competition.

According to European Gaming, the legislative package was expected to be presented in summer 2026. Its central aim is to make it easier for authorities to act against operators serving the Portuguese market without a licence.

Economy Minister Manuel Castro Almeida addressed the issue at the launch of a public awareness campaign in June. The campaign warns consumers that appearances can be misleading when choosing where to gamble online. Almeida described illegal gambling as a serious and persistent threat, arguing that a sense of impunity has allowed unlicensed operators to expand.

Portugal has already taken substantial enforcement action. Since the introduction of its current regulatory framework in 2015, authorities have blocked more than 2,500 websites, issued over 1,500 notices and referred dozens of cases to prosecutors, European Gaming reported.

A challenge that extends across Europe

Portugal’s proposed measures reflect a wider concern: illegal online gambling threatens consumer protection, reduces government revenue and undermines companies operating within the rules.

A Yield Sec report published in 2025 estimated that unlicensed operators generated €80.6 billion in the EU during 2024 - approximately 71% of the bloc’s online gambling market. The licensed sector, by comparison, was valued at €33.6 billion.

The article noted that comparable figures covering the whole of Europe for 2025 were not yet publicly available. However, regulators in the Netherlands, Sweden and the United Kingdom had reported growing pressure from unlicensed operators during that period.

Bulgaria puts enforcement high on the agenda

Bulgaria faces similar challenges. The National Revenue Agency regularly updates its lists of websites offering gambling services without a valid licence under the country’s Gambling Act, and the number of identified illegal sites continues to rise.

The Association of Gaming Industry in Bulgaria has also placed the black market among its leading priorities. Its Management Board Chairman, Angel Iribozov, identified the issue as a central concern for Bulgaria’s gaming and entertainment industry in 2026.

Iribozov emphasised that responsible regulation must be backed by effective enforcement and coordinated action across institutions. He called for measures to block payments and restrict access to unlicensed websites, alongside clear public information explaining how to recognise licensed operators.

Cooperation between the industry and the regulator, he added, is essential to making these measures effective.

Portugal’s plans illustrate the growing emphasis on stronger enforcement and consumer protection across Europe. For Bulgaria, the challenge is equally practical: maintaining a sustainable regulated market requires consistent action against illegal competitors and tools that allow authorities to intervene effectively.