The European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) believes Portugal’s gambling tax policies are “discriminatory.” It is lobbying for the country’s government to make changes to the policies, arguing that the tax on online gambling has resulted in grater player channelization.

Currently, according to Portugal’s’ gambling laws established in 2015, online sports wagers are taxed anywhere from 8%-16% and online casino gaming gross gaming revenue (GGR) is taxed between 15%-30%. The EGBA believes a better option would be a flat tax calculated against the GGR.

In a statement from the past Monday, the group stated, “EGBA urges the authorities to apply equal taxes across all online gambling products – and based on gross gaming revenue (GGR). This will ensure the regulated Portuguese market becomes more attractive to players – because a sensible taxation level will lead to better priced betting odds – and pull into the regulated market more of the 75% of Portuguese players who are now playing on websites not regulated in Portugal.”

It adds, “The current online gambling law in Portugal rightly allows multiple online gambling operators to obtain a license and provide their services to Portuguese citizens who wish to place a bet online. In the online environment this is the best way to ensure that Portuguese players can play on licensed and regulated gambling websites – and that is why 25 EU member states have now adopted this model.”