The Portuguese Government plans to modify the Advertising Code by adding a series of measures that for now will be recommendations to limit online gaming advertisements
The Gaming Regulator in Portugal (Servicio de Regulación e Inspección de Juegos de Azar) has published what will be the new guide to good practices in online gaming advertising in the Portuguese media. Measures that, although not mandatory, establish clear recommendations for online gaming operators, which should not be announced on television and radio between 7 am and 10:30 pm from now on.
Among other measures, the new regulation of good practices regarding online game advertising in the Portuguese media establishes that announcements will not be allowed "not even 30 minutes before or after a program specially dedicated to children and young people"; in addition to recommending that operators do not advertise on television and radio between 7:00 a.m. and 10:30 p.m.
Furthermore: there should be no publicity for this type of game "not 30 minutes before or after a program specially dedicated to children and young people".
This new manual aims to "complement the legal regime of activity applicable to games and betting, in relation to matters that are not expressly provided for" in the Advertising Code and focuses on the protection of minors, for which also places the emphasis on avoiding "advertising messages through social networks or online content exchange services to minors", requesting that operators, whenever possible, activate the mechanisms available by these platforms to prevent or limit your access to minors.
It is hoped that these "recommendations" in the new manual can become rules shortly and adjust the current Code, in force since 2014, with the new measures. According to the Ministry of Economy, "the possibility of changing the Advertising Code" is still under analysis, to "correspond to eventual needs and concerns".
