Online Gambling Laws in Portugal

Portugal is a popular tourist hotspot for gambling, with the country being home to some 13 or so casinos. The nation takes a liberal approach to gambling, with most forms legal, although some activities fall under monopoly control while others are barely served due to high tax rates. Learn all about Portugal's gambling laws below.

Gambling Regulation by Casino Type

Generally speaking, gambling has been legal in Portugal since 1916 under the Legal Regime for The Operation of Games of Chance in Casinos, Decree Law number 422/89. Online gambling has been legal in the country since 2015, according to the Regime Jurídico dos Jogos e Apostas, Decree Law number 66/2015. 

In both cases, licences are issued by the Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos do Turismo de Portugal (SRIJ). Let's see how these laws apply to Portugal's gambling activities.

Casino Games

Physical casinos have been legal in Portugal since 1916 when the country's first casino opened, Casino Estoril. Operators are required to obtain a licence but can only set up a casino venue in one of the ten designated gambling zones in the country: Azores, Algarve, Espinho, Estoril, Figueira da Foz, Funchal, Porto Santo, Póvoa de Varzim, Troia and Vidago-Pedras Salgadas. There are currently 13 such casino venues operating in Portugal.

Online casino gambling is also legal in Portugal and has been since 2015. Operators must acquire a licence, with unlicensed online casinos blocked by the country's ISPs and prosecuted. However, residents are not prosecuted for playing online casino slots and other games at such unlicensed sites.

Poker

Land-based poker gambling is legal in Portugal, but there are no poker clubs in the country, with poker games occurring within licensed casinos. Only specific poker games can be played in Portugal according to the country's gambling laws: tournaments, Omaha, Texas, Spanish and Caribbean Stud.

Online poker gambling has been legal in Portugal since 2015, with online casino licence holders permitted to offer such games. However, due to the high tax rates, many online poker sites refuse to obtain a licence from the Portuguese regulatory body and do not accept residents of Portugal.

Bingo

Physical bingo gambling in Portugal has been legal since 2011, with operators required to hold a licence. Bingo is quite popular in Portugal, with 15 bingo halls running nationwide and a dedicated bingo hall running games in Casino Espinho. Online bingo gambling is also legal in Portugal and has been since 2015. However, very few online bingo sites currently hold a Portuguese-issued licence.

Lotteries

Portugal has a long history of lottery gambling, with the activity deemed legal as far back as 1783. Residents can purchase various lottery tickets and scratch cards via the country's state-owned lottery company, Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Lisboa (SCML). Like in many European countries, the lottery in Portugal is operated on a monopoly basis, although various small lotteries and raffles run for charitable purposes are permitted.

Online lottery gambling is legal in Portugal and has been since 2000, with SCML running a monopoly here too. Residents of Portugal can also play online lottery games for real money via other sites, but they will be unlicensed.

Social Gambling and Crypto Casinos

Under Portugal's current gambling legislation, there is no provision for such borderline gambling activities as social gambling (i.e. with play chips), loot boxes or skins gambling.

Although Portugal hasn't made cryptocurrencies illegal, the country has still expressed its concerns over the safety of virtual coins. As such, none of the country's casinos or other gambling venues accept virtual currency as a payment method. The only way for residents to play casino games using cryptocurrencies is via crypto casinos and online casinos offering third-party payment services that accept virtual coins.

Portugal Sports Betting Laws

Sports betting is legal in Portugal, with the country benefiting from fixed odds markets via private bookmakers and pari-mutuel opportunities on a monopoly basis via SCML, which also runs the popular Totobola sports pool.

Online sports betting is also legal in Portugal and has been since 2015. However, very few online sportsbooks have obtained a licence from the country's regulatory authority due to high tax rates. Portugal's gambling laws do not mention fantasy and virtual sports betting.

Gambling Age Restriction

The legal age at which Portugal residents are permitted to gamble is 18 years old.

Tax Regulation

Portugal's gambling tax regulation means tax rates vary from one gambling zone to the next and by activity, with tax rates generally ranging from 4.5% to 40%. The country's lottery pays 4.5% tax, fixed odds bookmakers pay 8%, and bingo halls, online gambling operators, and pari-mutuel betting company SCML pay 25% tax. VAT is not charged. Players in Portugal can enjoy their winnings tax-free.

History of Gambling Laws in Portugal

The first written record of gambling legislation in Portugal dates back to 1783, when the country's national lottery was launched. Portugal's first casino, Casino Estoril, was opened back in 1916. Casinos increased in number and popularity around the 1970s as they became seen as venues for all, not just the wealthy, including unaccompanied women. In 1989, gambling legislation was expanded to allow more forms of gambling in the country. Online gambling was legalized in 2015.

Key Facts

Portugal has some quite permissive gambling laws. Here's a rundown of the key points:

• Both offline and online casino gambling is legal under licence, including at online live casino sites.
• Poker gambling is legal, with offline games at licensed casinos, but few online poker sites serve Portugal.
• Bingo gambling is legal, with numerous bingo halls operating but few licensed online bingo sites.
• Lottery gambling is legal but is under monopoly control of Santa Casa de Misericórdia de Lisboa (SCML).
• Sports betting is legal, with pari-mutuel betting offered on a monopoly basis and fixed odds betting offered by private companies.