All four bills discussed by the Assembly of the Republic propose treating gambling advertising similarly to alcohol advertising by banning it on television and radio between 7am and 10:30pm.
Two of the four bills, Bill 919 and Bill 343, aim to amend Portugal’s Code of Advertising for the 15th and 16th time to impose additional restrictions on gambling advertising.
Bill 919, published on July 29, was introduced in response to the increase in online gambling during the Covid-19 pandemic. The bill includes statistics from Portugal’s Gaming Regulation and Inspection Service, showing that 329,400 new players registered for gambling in the first quarter of 2021. It also proposes stronger protections for minors in advertising.
Bill 343, published on April 28, 2020, also cites the rise in online gambling due to the pandemic and calls for limitations on advertising.
Bill 951 aims to make it mandatory to include addiction warnings in advertisements for “social games” like Euromillions and lotteries, in order to address addiction issues and prevent future cases.
Finally, Bill 952 aims to restrict gambling advertising, enhance responsible gambling awareness, and strengthen consumer protection. It also proposes a self-exclusion process for individuals who do not wish to view gambling ads on the internet.
All four bills were approved by the Assembly of the Republic on October 1. They will now proceed to the Committee on Economy, Innovation, Works, Public and Housing for a 60-day review.
