APAJO Files Complaint Against Unlicensed Gambling Sites and Payment Provider EuPago

The Portuguese Association of Online Betting and Gambling (APAJO) has submitted complaints to the Public Prosecutor’s Office targeting four unlicensed online gambling platforms and the payment provider EuPago. APAJO alleges that EuPago facilitated financial transactions tied to illegal gambling activity.

Portugal’s regulated online gambling market has been in place since 2016, but unauthorized operators continue to offer payment methods widely used by Portuguese consumers, including MB Way, Multibanco, Visa, and Mastercard. APAJO warned that the availability of these familiar payment options may give consumers a mistaken impression that transactions with unlicensed sites are legitimate.

The association stated that it has collected evidence of EuPago’s involvement and had previously notified the Bank of Portugal of the issue in a letter sent in April 2024. APAJO also reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with regulators, financial institutions, digital platforms, and licensed operators to strengthen consumer protection and the integrity of the regulated market.

Separately, consumer organization DECO PROteste reported that complaints about online gambling platforms in Portugal more than doubled in 2026 compared to the previous year. The group recorded 87 complaints between January and June 2026, averaging 14.5 per month, up from an average of 6.8 per month in 2025.

Withdrawal restrictions accounted for 55% of the complaints reviewed. Other common issues included repeated identity verification requests, account closures after players won, deposits not being credited, and a lack of effective dispute resolution mechanisms.