Online gambling in Portugal is constantly growing and is expected to remain a growing market in the future. Millions are already gambling online.
With more and more platforms of this kind, it is essential to have good regulation, so that consumers can play safely and legally at legal online casinos in Portugal. In addition, with so many options, it is becoming harder to pick one casino to gamble at.
Hopefully, this text will answer all the questions a Portuguese gambler may have about online gambling in Portugal.
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The Online Gaming Law was enacted in 2015 through Decree-Law No. 66/2015. Before this law, the market was little supervised, where consumers were a little at the mercy of sites, and betting had no limitations.
With the legalization of the industry, several national and multinational companies created legal and trustworthy websites. The online casino market has skyrocketed and digital game operators are now required to have a legal license to exploit this activity. The regulation of online gaming platforms is controlled by the Gaming Regulation and Inspection Society (SRIJ). The process is relatively simple, but it requires building solid business models, which stimulate the national economy and state accounts, which collect millions in taxes.
Players were the ones who benefited the most from the enactment of the law, as they were able to play in a reliable and safe way. With the Law of Online Gambling, the casino sector soared, which allowed a better choice and easy access to any type of game.
With the law in place, online games are one of the fastest-growing industries in Portugal. With the ease of access on any mobile device, players are increasingly attracted to these platforms to try their luck.
Consequently, with the increase in the online casino market, the prize pools have been growing, with more attractive values and considerably larger jackpots. The Portuguese bet more and more, whether in gambling or sports betting.
This increase was essentially due to the security that exists with Decree-Law No. 66/2015, which made it possible to bet on a properly licensed website without any concerns, both in terms of transactions and data protection.
The Online Gambling Law also made it possible to ensure that there are no gambling registrations for minors since an identification document is required when registering on any website, something unheard of in Portugal before 2015.
Any entrepreneur can establish an online gaming company, as long as they respect the legal parameters. Before 2015, there was still the possibility of limiting the concession of gambling to exclusively national entities, but it was rejected by the European Commission in the interests of the economic rights of the European citizen.
However, there are some limitations to who can play online, in addition to Portuguese minors. Ministers and members of the Government, police and security, sovereign bodies, sports practitioners and anyone who has privileged access to online gaming sites cannot register on these platforms, running the risk of being legally penalized.
As we have seen, the enactment of the online gambling law in 2015 revolutionized this industry, creating an exponential increase in the supply of gambling sites and online casinos. Mainly for gamblers, this law has brought additional security to this type of bet, improving not only the offer but also the variety of choices, increased premiums, and data protection.
Is Online Casino Legal in Portugal?
Gambling in Portugal is legal and regulated therefore players can safely venture into the world of online gambling and enjoy hours of fun!
When choosing your first casino site in Portugal, there are several criteria that should be followed. It is important to emphasize that there are no factors more important than others. Of course, safety must always be prioritized, but you must take into account all these 7 points.
It is imperative that you feel safe when playing. You should not put your money on a platform that has doubts about its reliability. Always look for licensed and regulated online casinos operating in Portugal. The responsible entity is the Gaming Regulation and Inspection Service (SRIJ), so you should look out for this seal.
More than a seal, the opinion of other players is worth gold. Read reviews on forums and blogs about the quality or otherwise of online casinos. While it’s often tricky to distinguish a genuine comment from a tilted comment, it’s always a good way to get an overview.
Whenever you have questions about payments, bonuses, how a tool works, or any other matter, it’s always good to have quick answers. The best thing then is to find online casinos with a live chat service (if it’s 24/7 even better), so you wait as little time as possible for responses. However, other forms of contact must be available, such as email, phone number, or social networks.
In an era where the vast majority of Portuguese people have a smartphone, it is almost mandatory for online casinos to have an application for mobile devices, both for iOS and Android. This application must have the same (or more) features that you have on your computer, it must be quick to load pages and easy to navigate. If the platform does not offer a mobile app, the website must be fully optimized for mobile phones, in order to be able to play fluently through the browser.
Bonuses are often a bittersweet factor. This is because the highest offer is not always the best. Still, look for the bonus that appeals to you the most: deposit bonuses, free spins, or no deposit bonuses.
To be a good offer, also see the wagering requirements (rollover) and the time you have to fulfill them. The lower the rollover and the longer the time to fulfill the requirements, the better for you.
Promotions should be regular, from permanent to temporary, and always varied, to boost the platform: from cashback, deposit bonuses, free spins, tournaments, and much more.
It is important that you can deposit and withdraw your funds through different methods. Don’t limit yourself to one or two payment methods. This variety must include MB Way, bank transfer, Visa/Mastercard, e-wallets (such as PayPal, Skrill, or Neteller), and Paysafecard. Also, look for online casinos where you don’t pay transaction fees and where the minimum and maximum limits are adequate for what you want.
The variety and quality of the games are one of the most important criteria for any player because after all, the objective is to play. In addition to a wide range of slot machines (with different themes, mega-ways, and jackpots), look for card and table games such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat, or poker. If you like to have fun without using real money, many online casinos offer the possibility to play for free, without depositing.
Quality software providers create quality games – simple as that. Here the most relevant are the visual graphics, the sound, the extra features of the machines and the pay lines (in the case of slot machines), the diversity of themes presented, and, of course, the gameplay on mobile devices. Some of the biggest names when it comes to online casino software are iSoftBet, NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Microgaming, Evolution Gaming, and Play’N GO.
As you can see, choosing the best online casino sites in Portugal is not such an easy task. There are several factors to consider and it is the combination of all of them that makes a platform stand out or not. This does not have to be taken literally for all players, as each of us has our preferences and tastes in everything in life, and games of chance are no exception.
However, if you are in doubt between two, three, or even between all, you can and should look at these seven tips and put the online casinos in the balance, individually. The ones that have the most positive characteristics will surely be your best choices. Make conscious, thoughtful choices that can provide you with enriching experiences.
New and fresh players in Portugal who wish to try their luck online may get a bit scared of the whole process. In truth, that is completely understandable as there are some shady sites in the world which Portuguese players may access without knowing it. But the chances of that happening in Portugal are quite slim, especially if you go with legal casino sites in Portugal. Be that as it may, there are a few steps on how to safely start gambling online.
As said, gambling is legal in Portugal and therefore there will be many legal and authorized gambling services available. When looking at the list of casino sites in Portugal, pick out several that you find interesting. From there, it is easy – check if the casino is legal and certified, and see if it offers what you need in terms of games, bonuses, and banking options. If both conditions are met, you are ready for the next step.
Once you’ve found your casino of choice, it is time to create your account. Registering on the portal of any casino site in Portugal is no more difficult than casually browsing the web. Many offer the opportunity to make this process even easier – to log in using an account from a social network.
Important! You need to register only if you plan to play for money, but if it’s just for fun, then feel free to skip this step as some casino sites in Portugal will offer demo playing without any registration.
If you do not have an account on the social network, you will need to provide standard registration data in the form, namely:
Recommendation! In order to withdraw the won funds, it is better to give truthful data. Otherwise, you simply won’t be able to get what Lady Luck gave you, especially from scrupulous offices that completely block such an account.
Almost every casino in Portugal offers bonuses for registration, do not forget to check this box. Some online casinos are offering such bonuses immediately upon registration, so claim them right away before you start gambling. Note: read the terms and conditions of claiming such bonuses again.
While you are a beginner, do not rush to bet real money, try your hand at different demo versions of games. Moreover, no one forces you to make bets at least once, all slot machines can be played indefinitely in free mode. This makes it easy to choose a machine to your liking.
For those who first looked at the casino, there are sections like “Popular” or “Top Game”. All others are divided into categories. Each casino site in Portugal determines how to structure the games. It can be a thematic focus or machines with the highest winnings, etc.
Having gained confidence that everything is not so difficult, you can start playing for money
You definitely came across stories of players who were deceived and lost lots of money. Yes, there is such a thing. But similar situations happen with users who are chasing sweet promises without thinking twice and reading small prints.
Online casino ratings are created for a reason. Legal and authorized casino sites in Portugal will give you money that you won fair and square. Less reliable sites can obviously offer a much simpler winning algorithm in a free game. As a result, when playing for money – huge losses.
Another factor that hinders inexperienced players is excitement and pressure. The fact that you are betting with real money weighs heavily and makes it hard to focus. And already the first win inspires mega confidence and euphoria, which again gives rise to less focus. You need to play with a bright head and with minimal emotions, then winning is more likely.
There are many games such as slot machines, poker, blackjack, and roulette, among many others. All of them took advantage of digitalization to create variants of each game or to be able to use live streams to play live casino games with a dealer and a gaming table, trying to emulate traditional casino games in Portugal.
The case of slots is one that has taken advantage of the digitization of casino games. In addition to creating various rules, modalities, ways to bet and win, boosted by the game's graphic resources, online slots have interesting inspirations from movies and series that are rapidly growing in popularity.
For example, each of the different slots available at online casinos in Portugal has an RTP (Return-to-player rate) close to 96% – or more –, increasing the chances of winning. Among them - Bonanza, Starburst, Gonzo's Quest, Diamond Cascade, and Super Stricker are the most popular slots among online casinos available in Portugal. Games like Jurassic Park, Pharaoh Fortune, and Mega Moolah, which are very popular around the world, also stand out.
Outside of slot machines, as we said, roulette, blackjack, poker, and live casino games stand out. In the case of blackjack, it is the favorite card game of the Portuguese, because, in addition to luck, it includes a bit of game strategy. After slots, blackjack follows in terms of RTP. Among all the classic and modern variants, such as Perfect Blackjack or Multiplayer, people in Portugal look for Lucky7 Blackjack.
In the case of poker, it is very popular. There are options, but they are few when it comes to poker in any form, whether Texas, Caribbean, or Omaha.
When talking about roulette, a classic and popular casino game in Portugal, its simplicity and good prizes also stand out. In addition, many variations of the roulette game were created: ways to bet and attractive themes were designed to attract more attention from the Portuguese. Among the Portuguese, the French Roulette Premium stands out, which is part of the Playtech software. It must be said that this game includes a rule where the table starts in the player's favor.
Live casino games in Portugal have acquired a lot of strength and even more with the modification that the law underwent a little over two years ago, which fully included online casinos, allowing the creation of local operators, which can be controlled by the SRIJ.
As we said, the interesting thing about this modality is the simulation of reality, as it is possible to interact with other people, such as the dealer and other players. In addition, the handling of cards or chips is done by the dealer and not by the software, which gives even more reality and shortens the distance between people.
In Portugal, one of the most popular creators of live games is NetEnt, roulette being one of the most played by the Portuguese in this modality.
The existence of different types of games in online casinos makes the probability of winning at an online casino in Portugal very difficult to find. If in a certain type of game it is skill and technique that matter, in other types of games it is luck, thus making the winning probabilities vary from game to game. In practical terms, the odds of winning at an online casino depend on the player’s skill, luck, and the combination of these two factors within the online casino site in Portugal.
There are different winning odds for each game, but most of them are fixed, thus making players aware of the matter before starting their bets. However, in other situations, these probabilities are modified, depending on several factors that are linked to the player, the game, and even the online casino.
Let’s take traditional casino gambling titles like roulette, scratch cards, bingo, and keno. Your chance of winning is reduced because you can only do a little to improve your results. You instead rely primarily on your luck. On the flip side, many casino games have been constructed in a way where players can enter a fierce skill battle between themselves or the dealer, where luck is one of the less important factors for the final outcome. In these types of games, you must develop a winning strategy and increase your chances.
In Portugal’s gambling platforms, the different strategies you can come across are entirely based on the type of wagers, the total amount of your bets, and the return and speed of the particular slot machine where you play. In the country, it’s well-known that the machines are designed to provide you with at least a specific amount in winnings after a certain period.
On the other hand, the situation with the casino games of skill is different. Even though the house always has the upper hand in these titles, you can directly impact your results with your decisions over the long run. By learning profitable strategies and systems you implement consistently, you will begin to switch chances in your favor, whether you are playing against the dealer or fellow players. Your tenacity and drive for knowledge will be the main factors to determine whether you will succeed.
All in all, you must understand that your winnings from an online casino site in Portugal depend on numerous factors, including your experience, the strategy you use, how lucky you are, the game odds, and even your decisions while playing. But most players ignore choosing the best game versions in advance. For example, two Blackjack tables can be entirely different in a Portuguese casino. One comes with a much more significant house edge than the other, so you must always first check out the game’s RTP and volatility.
Those looking for games at legal casinos in Portugal usually consider different factors in their choices. And one of them is certainly the real chances of making money. After all, as much as fun is also important, everyone dreams of hitting the jackpot when playing at an online casino site in Portugal – and the greater the probability of winning, the better!
Online casinos in Portugal have several game options. They range from versions for traditional games in physical casinos to games created especially for digital platforms. And the chances of winning vary depending on the title chosen. Among the dozens of legal casino game options in Portugal, some stand out more for their profitability.
When we think about slot machines, profitability has a strong relationship with the Return to Player (RTP) of the game. That is, with the expected return of the game, in the long term, in relation to the value bet on it. The RTP is programmed by the manufacturer and can be adjusted, in some cases, by the casino. The minimum RTP required by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), for example, is 85%. However, in general, it is usually above 90%.
In the case of the UK Gambling Commission, there is no minimum RTP – the only requirement is that the games are fair and the actual return is as advertised by the casino. The same occurs in Portugal, where the Gaming Regulation and Inspection Service (SRIJ) inspects casinos and only demands that the promised return is fulfilled.
Therefore, it is important to know whether a casino has a license to operate – and what the license is. However, it is also important to check the slot machine’s RTP before playing. It is usually indicated in the game settings.
Currently, some slot machines stand out for their high RTP in Portugal. That is, by returning a greater part of the amount bet on them, in general. Some examples are:
Of course, slot machines are not the only gambling option in online casino sites in Portugal – nor are they always the most profitable option. Some games obey specific probability rules due to their nature. Here are some cases where the house edge can be considered small:
In all these cases, the house edge is higher than the slot machines listed above. However, you have to take into account that the average RTP of slot machines is much closer to 95%, not 99%. Therefore, the percentages indicated in the most profitable games in this category should not be taken as a rule.
In other games, like poker and baccarat, it is much more difficult to calculate profitability. After all, they give a greater margin to the player’s strategy, and this can decisively influence the result.
Many casino games in Portugal, particularly card games, have their results influenced by player skill. That is, for those who are excellent poker players, for example, it is much more worthwhile to dedicate themselves to this game than looking for a slot machine with a high RTP.
In the case of slot machines, there is one more issue that must be considered: the volatility of the games. There can be two games with the same RTP, but with very different volatility. That is, one of them can reward the player more frequently, but with smaller amounts, while the other can reward the player less frequently, but with higher amounts at each opportunity. Choose the game type according to your preferences.
Online casino bonuses are a great way to attract new players and additionally keep existing ones playing. With the immense variety of entities operating in Portugal, it is natural that some want to stand out by offering increasingly attractive bonuses. Obviously, for players, these bonuses are always very appealing and provide better spending management, as they allow you to maximize your winnings without any additional investment.
The welcome bonus is the first offer you will come across when looking for information about a new online casino site in Portugal. And it will be one of the differentiating factors between casinos, which will make you decide to proceed with your registration in a particular casino. There are now welcome bonuses designed to make Portuguese players ecstatic.
The most frequent bonus is the doubling of your deposit amount. That is, if you make a deposit of €50, you will automatically receive a bonus of €50, totaling €100 in balance, to use in your bets. In some casino sites in Portugal, this bonus can be added to the free spins offer.
The bonus possibilities that you can accumulate when you register at an online casino site in Portugal are numerous and represent the most significant offers in this market segment. On the one hand, they are advantageous for casinos, managing to attract more players. On the other hand, they are advantageous for players because they enjoy a completely free balance to bet on their favorite games.
Usually, these bonuses are awarded automatically and, as soon as the player validates his account, it is immediately visible in the balance of the account in question. Being one of the most popular among the Portuguese, it is possible to verify that almost all casinos offer it.
Another offer that is quite popular in Portuguese casinos is the fact that you can start betting with much more than you initially deposited. While this offer is more targeted toward new players, there are casinos that match your deposit over the course of specific campaigns.
Once you make your deposit, in most cases it is automatically doubled up to a certain maximum amount. For example, if you deposit €20, you automatically start playing with €40, allowing you to make better use of your balance with a reduced initial investment.
Free spins can also be associated with a range of welcome bonuses or promotions for existing customers. Generally, you will be able to enjoy free spins when you sign up to a casino as a new player, in certain special promotions promoted by the casinos (weekly, monthly, etc.), or when new slot machine games are released in Portugal.
This is one of the favorite promotions of players, as it allows you to try and test the slots for free and without taking any risks, as it does not require any kind of investment with real money.
We know that sometimes luck is not on our side. Therefore, it is common practice in some online casino sites in Portugal to have cashback offers, allowing players to recover some amount that has been lost on less successful bets.
Usually, it is possible to recover 50% of the amount that was previously wagered, and there are casinos that offer more, and others that offer less. Check if this type of promotional offer is available at your chosen casino in Portugal as it is one of the most appreciated by players, allowing you to recover some percentage of the amount that was previously lost.
Creativity is the watchword when it comes to online casino sites. Always aiming to provide an excellent experience to their users, some casinos in Portugal think outside the box and offer very competitive advantages.
All casinos operating online in the country are subject to the regulations and laws provided for online betting. If the casino you are thinking of starting to use is legalized and authorized by the Gaming Regulation and Inspection Service (SRIJ), you can rest assured as this means that you have a reliable and safe platform where you can invest your money smoothly and ensure that the bonuses go straight to your account.
Given the scrupulous security criteria of the regulator of online betting in Portugal, all bonuses and promotional offers must meet certain requirements. With the well-being and safety of players always first, this regulatory body ensures that the money falls into exactly the right hands. All bonuses presented are then previously reviewed by SRIJ, ensuring that requirements such as payout, rollover, and restrictions are properly presented in a clear and simple way.
Undoubtedly, technology is allowing you to expand the different payment methods in online casinos to the maximum, to have the best imaginative experience in your gaming sessions. However, get to know the most used online payment methods among Portuguese players:
✅ Credit Cards – This turns out to be the most used online casino payment method among the Portuguese. However, consider that the cards have a direct link to your bank account and lead to you having to fill in some data that you are not comfortable with.
✅ Bitcoin and Other Cryptocurrencies – Although there are still few online casino sites in Portugal that accept cryptocurrencies, the trend is for this number to increase. The biggest advantage of this technological method, based on revolutionary blockchain technology, is that commissions are almost nil and all transactions are almost immediate.
✅ Neteller E-Wallet – This online wallet is slowly replacing other online casino banking options. With Neteller, you will be creating a virtual account to make deposits and withdrawals, all without having to involve your bank directly.
✅ Skrill E-Wallet – In terms of online casino games in Portugal, Skrill is the most used online wallet. This is because, in online casino payments, in addition to having an extra layer of protection with this online wallet, you will still have higher withdrawal limits, for example.
✅ Paysafecard Prepaid Card – If you are looking for a solution that is a prepaid card, where the transaction is really immediate, Paysafecard could be one of the most effective payment options online casinos. However, you may have to leave the house to order and pay for that same prepaid card.
✅ Bank transfer – This is still one of the most used options by the Portuguese, especially when it comes to withdrawals. Still, note that this method of payment at the casino is one of the slowest (the average will be between 2 to 5 business days for its completion).
✅ ATM or MB Way – Finally, these methods are also highly secure, as you will be avoiding filling in your credit card details directly at authorized online casinos in Portugal. However, be aware that there may be some associated fees. As a rule, these online casino payment methods are among the fastest you can choose.
In fact, players and licensed online casinos in Portugal always seek to be able to make deposits and withdrawals as quickly as possible. However, of course, there are different online casino payments that have different processing times.
While the bank transfer requires that the different banks involved have to confirm the operation, in the case of cryptocurrencies, the blockchain technological system makes the processing time from a few minutes to an hour. All this information is essential for you to choose the best online casino payouts and according to what you are looking for in the online casino site in Portugal.
There is no doubt that the commissions and fees charged by online casinos in their online casino payments will always depend on their policy, Terms and Conditions, and even partnerships they have made with the providers of these same fintech services. Bearing this in mind, understand that if a transaction involves many parties, it is natural for it to be a little more expensive. However, the authorized online casinos in Portugal offer, as a rule, one free bank transfer per month.
What Is the Best Payment Option for Portuguese Players?
Bank and credit card transfers offer easy transfers with usually no fees; e-wallets are fast and safe but include fees, cryptocurrencies are the best but rare. It is up to the bettor to choose whether they want speed, safety, or no commission.
Gambling in Portugal is legal and well-regulated.
Portugal is one of the safest countries in Europe when it comes to online gambling.
Much like online gambling, sports betting is very safe.
Players in Portugal can choose their monthly deposit limits, but they are not limited by the casino sites or the state.
As a player, you don’t have to pay tax. On the other hand, the gambling houses have to pay 44% tax.
Withdrawal periods will depend on the casino site and banking options. It can vary from immediate to several days.
There are no competitions, therefore, we can’t say for sure which casino site is the best in Portugal. On the other hand, it is important that the casino is licensed, legal offers great gambling and banking options that best suit the player’s needs.
All types of casino games are available to Portuguese players. These include slots, card games, roulette, scratch cards, bingo, sports betting, and much more.
Like in most countries in the world, slots are the most popular casino games in Portugal.
Some casino sites in Portugal will offer free spin bonuses, although these are quite rare.
To claim the sign-up bonus, it is necessary to register and create a gambling account. From there, you can claim it either immediately, after entering a special code, or after depositing some money first.
Players in Portugal who suffer from gambling addiction can send an email to [email protected] asking for help, or call 1414. This is a national helpline in Portugal and all help is confidential.
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