Changing their mind?

PORTUGAL could be making a u-turn over online gambling, according to various reports. Initially, online gambling was seen as a threat and was ruled out but now looks like they’re opening their eyes to the possibility of regulating to possibly finance imminent pension needs.

At the time it was estimated that such a strategy could raise an extra Euro 250 million for government coffers. The tourism minister, Cecilia Meireles has been saying the government is now rethinking the benefits of revenue derived from the activity.

Earlier this year, the Portugal Daily Review reported that a source in the Ministry of the Economy had confirmed that the concept was being progressed, although little detail was available. The figure of Euro 250 million, collected from “gambling concessions” was still the financial target at that point.

It’s also been reported that the government has decided that it is a “reasonable goal” to start collecting gambling fees. Quoted in a local newspaper Publico, she has said that local legislators have, “unanimously approved” policies to regulate the gambling sector. She had also added that the course of action regarding this latest move requires “some secrecy” which tells those interested in the news that there are some hurdles to overcome yet. Bwin had previously lost its cause to sponsor the Portuguese Football League.