Gambling has been a popular pastime for ages. In Portugal today, a well-developed regulatory system is in place for both traditional and online casinos. This article explores the history of gambling in Portugal, the current regulations, how to obtain a license, legal online casinos, and responsible gambling initiatives.
- Before the 19th century: Unregulated gambling.
- Late 19th century: Gambling becomes a privilege of the wealthy.
- Formation of neo-legal gambling zones in Póvoa do Varzim, Espinho, Figueira da Foz, Estoril (Lisbon), and cultural centers.
- 1927: The Portuguese government legalizes and regulates gambling through a decree.
- 1931: Opening of the first legal casino, Casino do Estoril.
- 1934: Opening of Casino da Póvoa.
- 1948: Foundation of Casino da Figueira.
- Formation of a gambling environment with nine Portuguese casinos: Espinho, Madeira, Vilamoura, Monte Gordo, Algarve, Lisbon, Chaves, and Troia.
- 2015: Adoption of a law regulating the licensing method for all operators.In 2015, the government enacted legislation legalizing online casinos, leading to the creation of several regulatory bodies:
- SRIJ – Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos de Azar (Gambling Regulation and Inspection Service).
- SCML – the national lottery and betting operator.
- Comissão de Jogos – the Portuguese Gaming Commission, operating under the SRIJ.
In 2021-2023, the Government revised tax rates, license fees, and strengthened measures to combat money laundering through online casinos.
The SRIJ’s objective is to supervise and regulate casinos and other gambling establishments, issue licenses, identify offenders, and revoke operating permits. The organization aims to create a transparent and well-regulated market.
Obtaining a casino license in Portugal involves the following steps:
- Gathering a complete set of required documents.
- Submitting the application to the SRIJ.
- Waiting for the application review outcome.
- Verifying the technical components’ certifications.
- Implementing measures to prevent money laundering.
- Paying a security deposit.
- Paying the license and other applicable fees.
- Ensuring the operator’s compliance with all regulatory requirements.
- Documentation with information about the casino and the management company.
- Registration document as a legal entity in Portugal.
- Copy of the owner’s passport.
- Letter of recommendation from the bank.
- Software documentation: HCS certificates, description of machine functionality, contracts with suppliers, etc. Information on legal Portuguese online casinos can be found in expert reviews and on international platforms like Reddit, AskGamblers, and Trustpilot. These resources help navigate the Portuguese gambling market and choose casinos with favorable conditions, bonuses, and games.Social responsibility is a crucial aspect of operators’ work. They implement measures to prevent gambling addiction, informing players about the risks and providing tools for self-exclusion, betting limits, and spending limits. Licensed sites typically provide contact information for organizations that assist individuals with gambling addiction.
The SRIJ website allows players to request self-exclusion from all Portuguese online casinos for a minimum of 3 months or indefinitely. A Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI) tool is available to players. In addition to these programs, individual casinos offer their own protection tools.
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