Portugal’s online gamblers are asking the government to rethink the industry’s tax rates as one company reveals that the government claims two-thirds of its revenue.

On Monday, Portugal’s National Association of Online Gamblers (ANAon) announced that it would be presenting parliament with a petition bearing the signatures of 4,600 gamblers who want their government to lessen the tax burden imposed on locally licensed online operators.

Portuguese-licensed online casino and poker operators pay a variable tax rate, with sites generating less than €5m in annual revenue paying a 15% rate, which escalates along with revenue before maxing out at 30%.

Online sports betting operators face even tougher rates, which start at 8% of the first €30m of betting turnover – not betting revenue – which escalates along with wagering handle before maxing out at a truly absurd 16%.