PokerStars has become an affiliate member of the Portuguese Online Betting and Gambling Association.

Through the APAJO, PokerStars will be represented in regulator, government and legislator discussions in Portugal alongside other licensed members in the country including Betano, Betclic, Bwin, Casino Portugal, ESC Online and Solverde.pt.

Ricardo Domingues, President of the Board of APAJO, stated: “APAJO is pleased to welcome into its group one of the leading international brands and an operator which has been in the market since 2016. We look forward to working with PokerStars to promote an entertaining, safe and sustainable environment for online gambling in Portugal.

“APAJO has ambitious plans for 2023 and PokerStars will play an important role in driving these forwards. We also would like to use this opportunity to renew our invitation to the other licensed operators to join.”

In addition to the representation in discussions, the APAJO has produced a responsible gambling manual for members to commit to alongside the measures enforced by law.

Created in 2018, the association also has a voice in the future of online gambling advertising in Portugal as part of the Portuguese Advertisers Association and as a signatory of a European Commission-led MoU on Online Advertising.

“We are delighted to join APAJO and look forward to sharing our expertise from other licensed jurisdictions to support APAJO in promoting a responsible and safe play environment,” added João Saraiva, Planning & Strategy Manager for Portugal at PokerStars.

“We have high ambitions for this market, and we can’t wait to start working together with APAJO.”