Online Casinos in Portugal in 2025

Gambling in Portugal dates back to the 18th century with royal lotteries introduced to support charitable causes, which eventually evolved into the modern national lottery. Land-based casinos began emerging in the early 1900s, with Casino Estoril opening in 1916 and becoming a notable European hotspot, especially during World War II. By 1939, the government fully legalised land-based gambling, establishing designated casino zones across the country.

Online gambling took longer. It was not until 2015 that the country passed Decree-Law No. 66/2015, allowing local and international operators to get licensed under the new regulator, SRIJ. This law created a regulated framework to ensure player protection, fair play, and responsible gambling. Since then, the market has grown steadily.

In Portugal, all legal gambling sites must be licensed by the Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos (SRIJ), the official regulatory authority responsible for overseeing both online and land-based casinos. SRIJ operates under Turismo de Portugal and enforces strict licensing requirements, including rigorous software testing, financial audits, data protection assessments, and mandatory responsible gambling measures such as self-exclusion tools and secure player verification. Licences are granted to both domestic and international operators that demonstrate financial stability and good standing with tax authorities. Licences are valid for three years, during which SRIJ continuously monitors compliance and can revoke licences or block operators that violate regulations.

While Portuguese players can legally access international casinos accepting VPN players, such as those regulated by the Curacao Gaming Control Board or Malta Gaming Authority, these sites do not fall under Portuguese jurisdiction. However, players from the country still prefer them due to more extensive selections of online casino games and bonuses.

One of the most important details when choosing a casino is how you can deposit and withdraw funds. In Portugal, players have access to local and international online casino payment options that are fast, secure, and supported by reliable platforms. You will not need to open a foreign account or convert currencies. Most payment tools work directly in euros.

There is no shortage of choice when it comes to online casino games in Portugal. Most legal platforms offer hundreds of titles, ranging from slot machines to classic table games and a few regional favourites. Some of the game types available include the following:

• Online Slots: From three-reel classics to modern video slots, the best online slots at casinos dominate most online catalogues. Features often include free spins, multipliers, or bonus rounds.
• Progressive Jackpots: Jackpot slots pool a percentage of each player’s bet across the network. Popular picks in Portugal include Mega Moolah and Wheel of Wishes, both available at top-rated Microgaming casinos.
• Table Games: Blackjack, baccarat, and poker remain widely played. These classics continue to dominate the selection of online casino table games, offering live dealer options as well for a more immersive experience.
• Portuguese Dice: A national classic, rarely found outside Portugal. It is a variation of craps with a unique betting system and local fanbase.
• Roulette: French and American roulette are the most common. Players at the best Evolution casinos online can enjoy these titles in gameshow format with live dealers.
• Scratch Cards and Bingo: These are fast, casual options that are still widely available. Often used for quick rounds or bonus games.

In Portugal, players do not pay tax on their online casino winnings, as long as they’re gambling on platforms licensed by the SRIJ. The tax burden falls on the operators, not the players. Players can keep winnings from games like slots, blackjack, or roulette without needing to declare them as income. However, lottery prizes over €5,000 and bingo are taxed separately.

That said, Portugal’s tax authority can still question sudden increases in wealth under the “manifestação de fortuna” rule. If your spending doesn’t match your reported income, you might be asked to explain where the money came from. That’s why it’s smart to keep track of your deposits, withdrawals, and which sites you play on. Stick to legal, licensed platforms or play at regulated and international tax free online casinos that do not impose tax burdens on players.

Playing online should always stay fun. But when gambling becomes difficult to control, help is available in Portugal. Several national services offer free support, both online and over the phone.

• SRIJ Self-Exclusion Programme: The official regulator offers a self-exclusion tool. It lets players block access to licensed casinos.
• SICAD – National Health Service: Portugal’s public support line for behavioural addictions, including gambling. They offer free, confidential help.
• Gambling Therapy Portugal: International support service with multilingual resources. They offer live chat, email counselling, and open group sessions.

All legal casinos in Portugal must provide account limits, session timers, and reality checks. Players can set deposit caps or lock themselves out at any time. Licensed operators are also required to share responsible gambling information and display warning messages. This helps create a safer, more transparent gambling environment for everyone.

The most important aspect to keep in mind when playing at online casinos in Portugal is to choose licensed and regulated operators, whether you’re registering at a locally-licensed or international casino. Players from Portugal prefer offshore operators for more variety of games and bonuses, in addition to a wide range of payment methods. Just make sure the site is trustworthy and accepts Portuguese players to avoid issues with payments or support.