French operator Betclic Everest Group has been awarded the first online sports betting license under Portugal’s new regulated online gambling market.

On Wednesday, Betclic launched its Betclic.pt site after finally receiving the go-ahead from local regulator Serviço Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos do Turismo de Portugal (SRIJ).

The launch comes more than one year since the country approved its new online gambling framework, underscoring the frustrations experienced by both local bettors as well as operators – many of whom exited the market in good faith and in anticipation of a speedy return – in seeing the new rules take effect.

On the plus side, Betclic’s launch beat the most recent estimates, which suggested the first regulated sites wouldn’t launch until June. Betclic can now rest easy knowing it will have a few weeks in which to work out any kinks in its new site before the Euro 2016 football frenzy kicks off on June 10.