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1. Market overview
Where the market sits, who runs it and under what law.
Gambling business in Portugal
The gambling business is legalized in Portugal. Anyone over the age of 18 can play in both land and online casinos. The total annual revenue from the country's casinos is 288 million euros. There are 11 casinos in the country. Unlike neighboring Spain, slot machines bring in the most revenue. Slots account for 81% of industry revenue.
Types of games are regulated by separate legislation passed in the 1990s and 2000s. Three organizations are involved in the gambling business: the Portuguese Tourism Service and Inspection Service (SRIJ), the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa (SCML), and the Gambling Commission (Comissão de Jogos). Each organization performs its functions in supervising and controlling the gambling business.
Portuguese gambling legislation
By law, only the state can run a gambling business in Portugal. However, it can also transfer this right to private operators in the form of concessions. There are 10 play areas in Portugal:
- Azores;
- Algarve;
- Espino;
- Estoril;
- Figueira and Foz;
- Porto Santo;
- Povoa de Varzim;
- Troy;
- Vidago-Pedra Salgadas.
Most of the revenue of the gambling business comes from the institutions located in the territory of Estoril - 49.5%. Other large play zones are Póvoa de Varzim and Espinho. Each of them accounts for 15% of the revenue from the games.
People under the age of 18 are not allowed to play or enter the casino. In addition, government officials are banned from playing: politicians, judges, police officers, etc. There are also restrictions on the amount spent on bets.
Each type of gambling in the country is regulated by separate regulations:
- National Lottery - Decree No. 200/2009;
- Scratch Cards - Decree No. 314/94;
- Bingo - Ordinance-Law No. 31/2011 and Ordinance No. 128/2011;
- Slot machines and machines - Ordinance Law no. 310/2002;
- Fixed Sports Betting - Order No. 67/2015.
- Online games are regulated by No. 66/2015 This category includes all games of chance that are played remotely through various media.
Gaming regulators
There are three gambling regulators in Portugal:
- Portugal Tourism Regulation and Inspection Service (SRIJ);
- Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa (SCML);
- Gambling Commission (Comissão de Jogos).
The Gaming and Inspection Service (SRIJ) monitors, inspects and regulates land-based casinos and online gambling. It also conducts various market research. The service provides technical assistance to the police if it requests a warning or the imposition of sanctions on illegal operators.
Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa (SCML) is responsible for overseeing and inspecting national lotteries, races and fixed stakes at land-based facilities.
The Yogos Commissioner coordinates and oversees the Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos. This organization issues licenses and regulations, controls contracts with operators, and solves administrative problems. It also includes inspection of playground equipment.
Terms of obtaining a license in gambling jurisdiction
To obtain a license in Portugal, an operator must participate in a public tender. The public tender is announced by the state and is held within a limited time frame.
The operator must have a registered office in an EU Member State or in an EU Economic Area. He should also co-operate with the administration on tax issues, stop fraud and money laundering.
The land concession license is valid for 10 years for casinos and for 20 years for bingo halls. The permit can be renewed by the decision of the government, if requested by the operator.
The cost of the license is individual in each case and is decided on a tender basis.
Gaming licensed species
The following games are licensed in the play areas:
- American and French roulette;
- Bones;
- Card: Baccarat, 21, punto banco, macau, shemin de fer,
- Five types of poker;
- Bingo;
- Slot Machines.
Other games are regulated by the Secretary of State for Tourism. Most of the revenue of the gaming business comes from gaming machines. Their share is 81% of the total revenue of all casinos. It is followed by roulette (6.4%), French carp (3.3%), Baccarat / Punto Banco (3.3%).
Online gambling in Portugal
There are four types of licenses for online operators in Portugal:
- Fixed sports bets;
- Horse racing;
- Bingo;
- Casino games (baccarat, craps, blackjack, slot machines, poker, etc.).
The rules for obtaining a license are the same in this case as for land operators. The permit is valid for three years and can be renewed. License fees for online operators are distributed as follows:
- Initial Deposit - € 18,000 plus another € 2,000 for each bet and casino game;
- New license fee - 2,000 euros for each type of toy;
The fee for games included in the original license is 2,000 euros for each type.
It is possible to renew or extend the license. The fee depends on the type of game. The fee for fixed sports betting and horse racing is € 12,000. For bingo - 2,000 euros. For casino games - € 12,000 plus € 2,000 for each new type of toy. Also, operators must pay the guarantees upon receipt of the license. Guarantee of fulfillment of obligations for the online operator is 100,000 Euros.
Gambling taxes in Portugal
Land casinos pay a special gambling fee, depending on the location of the gambling hall. It is taxed on total revenue and ranges from 4.5% to 40%. Bingo halls pay a card printing fee of 25%.
Online casino and horse racing betting operators pay 15-30% of the bets placed by players.
Popular slot machines in the country
Slots is the most popular gaming game in Portugal. Customer favorite slots include:
- Beach Life;
- Thunderstruck II;
- Blade;
- Gladiator;
- Dragon's Myth.
Conclusion
The Portuguese creators of slot machines and casino software are not known. But the gambling market itself is developing successfully, which brings significant profits to the state treasury
- Region
- Europe
- Legal status of gambling
- Regulated
- National regulator
- Three bodies: the Gaming and Inspection Service (Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos, SRIJ), which supervises land-based casinos and online gambling; Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa (SCML), which oversees national lotteries, races and fixed-odds betting at land venues; and the Gambling Commission (Comissão de Jogos), which coordinates and oversees the SRIJ, issues licences and controls operator contracts.
- Regulator website
- Under verification
- Key legislation
- National Lottery — Decree No. 200/2009; Scratch Cards — Decree No. 314/94; Bingo — Ordinance-Law No. 31/2011 and Ordinance No. 128/2011; Slot machines — Ordinance-Law No. 310/2002; Fixed sports betting — Order No. 67/2015; Online gambling — Order No. 66/2015.
- Minimum player age
- 18
2. Allowed verticals
What may be offered, and whether it needs a licence.
| Vertical | Status | Licence required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land-based casino | Permitted with a licence | Yes | Only the state may run gambling in Portugal, though it may transfer the right to private operators via concession. 11 casinos were operating across 10 designated play zones at the time of the source (e.g. Estoril, Póvoa de Varzim, Espinho, together accounting for most industry revenue). Licensed games include American and French roulette, dice, card games (baccarat, 21, punto banco, macau, chemin de fer), five types of poker, bingo and slot machines. |
| Bingo | Permitted with a licence | Yes | Regulated separately under Ordinance-Law No. 31/2011 and Ordinance No. 128/2011; bingo halls pay a 25% card-printing fee. |
| Slots / gaming halls | Permitted with a licence | Yes | Regulated under Ordinance-Law No. 310/2002; generated 81% of land-based casino revenue at the time of the source. |
| Poker | Permitted with a licence | Yes | Five types of poker are licensed as casino table games. |
| Sports betting | Permitted with a licence | Yes | Fixed-odds sports betting is regulated under Order No. 67/2015, overseen at land venues by Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa; a separate online fixed-sports-betting licence also exists. |
| Online casino | Permitted with a licence | Yes | Regulated under Order No. 66/2015, covering all remotely played games of chance. Four online licence categories exist: fixed sports betting, horse racing, bingo, and casino games (baccarat, craps, blackjack, slot machines, poker, etc.). |
3. Licensing framework
What a licence is, what it costs and what the holder must have in country.
- B2C licensing
- Under verification
- B2B licensing
- Under verification
- Licence term
- Land concession licences run for 10 years for casinos and 20 years for bingo halls, renewable by government decision at the operator's request. Online licences run for 3 years, renewable.
- Application fee
- For online operators: an initial deposit of €18,000 plus €2,000 per bet/casino game type; a new licence fee of €2,000 per game type; renewal fees of €12,000 for fixed sports betting or horse racing, €2,000 for bingo, and €12,000 plus €2,000 per new game type for casino games. Online operators must also lodge a €100,000 performance guarantee. Land-based licence costs are set individually through the tender process.
- Annual fee
- Under verification
- Local presence required
- The operator must have a registered office in an EU member state or the European Economic Area, and must cooperate with the authorities on tax, fraud and anti-money-laundering matters.
- Share capital required
- Under verification
| Licence | Type | Product | Authority | Duration | Fee | Key requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Land concession licence (casino) | Land-based | — | Gambling Commission / SRIJ | 10 years | — | Awarded via public tender; EU/EEA registered office required; fee set individually by tender. |
| Land concession licence (bingo hall) | Land-based | — | Gambling Commission / SRIJ | 20 years | — | — |
| Online gaming licence (by vertical) | Online | — | SRIJ | 3 years | €18,000 initial deposit + €2,000 per game type; renewal €2,000–€12,000 depending on vertical; €100,000 performance guarantee | — |
4. Taxation and banking
What the state takes, and whether the money can move.
- Gaming tax (GGR)
- Land-based casinos: a special gambling fee on total revenue, ranging 4.5%–40% depending on the location of the gambling hall; bingo halls additionally pay a 25% card-printing fee. Online casino and horse-race betting operators: 15%–30% of the bets placed by players.
- Corporate income tax
- Under verification
- Tax on player winnings
- Under verification
- Payments
- Under verification
- Banking and payments
- Under verification
| Tax | Rate | Base | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Land casino special gambling fee | 4.5%–40% of total revenue (by location) | Total gambling revenue | — |
| Bingo card-printing fee | 25% | Bingo card sales | — |
| Online gambling tax | 15%–30% of bets placed | Bets placed by players | — |
5. Technical requirements and compliance
What has to be certified, recorded and kept inside the border.
- Certification and game testing
- Under verification
- Responsible gambling
- Entry and play are barred to persons under 18, and to government officials such as politicians, judges and police officers; there are also restrictions on the amount that may be staked.
- AML regime
- Under verification
- AML and KYC
- Under verification
- Server and data localisation
- Under verification
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Planning to enter Portugal?
A regulatory assessment reads Portugal's regime against your own products, licence class and corporate structure, and says what follows for each: what you may offer, what you must hold, what it costs and what will change.
Who wrote this
- Last reviewed
Regulatory Intelligence disclaimer
Information is provided for general regulatory intelligence purposes and should not be treated as legal advice for a specific transaction or business model. Regulatory requirements may change and should be confirmed before market entry or implementation.