EGBA and APAJO Join European Commission's MoU

APAJO, the Portuguese online gambling association, has joined the European Commission's Memorandum of Understanding on online advertising and intellectual property rights (MoU). The initiative aims to reduce advertising on websites that infringe copyrights, such as illegal sports and movie streaming websites. APAJO is the first national gambling association to join the MoU initiative, in addition to the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) at EU level.

The MoU is an agreement between stakeholders across various European online advertising sectors to reduce advertising on such websites. The internet’s advertising ecosystem is complex, and this can sometimes lead to advertising from legitimate brands, including gambling companies, being placed on such websites.

EGBA was a founding signatory of the MoU in 2018, and its efforts to promote the initiative to Europe’s gambling sector have yielded positive results since then. A recent progress report by the European Commission found that, in 2021, advertising from major gambling brands had decreased by 55% on copyright-infringing websites in the EU.

Advertisement is a central component of a safe and licensed online gambling environment. This industry is a relevant advertising sector, and APAJO members are aware that, in parallel to the promotion of their brands and activities being indispensable to the channelization of the Portuguese consumer to the regulated environment, we have the responsibility of adhering to and promoting good practices in advertisement and communication. We are very happy to join the EGBA and other signatories of the MoU, as we subscribe to its spirit and mission.

Ricardo DominguesPresident of APAJO

EGBA Secretary General, Maarten Haijer, welcomed APAJO's support and emphasized the positive impact of collective efforts in reducing advertising on copyright-infringing websites. He encouraged other gambling associations to join the MoU and play their part in ensuring that gambling advertising, and its placement, is conducted in a responsible way.

The MoU is open to all partners and stakeholders, and EGBA encourages other gambling associations to join EGBA and APAJO in signing up for the MoU and its aims. For those interested in learning more about responsible advertising placement, EGBA is hosting a webinar titled "Online Advertising And IPR - How To Promote Responsible Advert Placement."