Legal Overview
Portugal legalized online gambling in 2015 with Decree-Law 66/2015, creating a regulated market for sports betting, casino games, and poker. The market is overseen by the Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos (SRIJ).
Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos (SRIJ)
The SRIJ is the Portuguese gambling regulator, responsible for:
- Issuing and monitoring gambling licenses
- Enforcing compliance with Portuguese gambling laws
- Protecting players and preventing gambling addiction
- Operating the national self-exclusion register (REJO)
- Regulating gambling advertising and sponsorships
- Combating illegal gambling and ensuring fair play
Licensed Products
Portugal allows the following online gambling products:
- Sports betting: Pre-match and live betting on sports events
- Casino games: Slots, table games, and live dealer games
- Poker: Cash games and tournaments
- Bingo: Online bingo rooms
- Horse racing: Betting on horse races
Player Protection Measures
Portugal has comprehensive player protection requirements:
- REJO: Registo de Jogadores Excluídos - national self-exclusion register
- Deposit limits: Players can set daily, weekly, or monthly deposit limits
- Account verification: Mandatory identity verification before play
- Self-exclusion: Temporary or permanent self-exclusion options
- Reality checks: Regular notifications during extended play sessions
- Advertising restrictions: Strict rules on gambling marketing
- Responsible gambling messages: Mandatory warnings in all advertising
Licensing Requirements
To operate in Portugal, online gambling operators must:
- Obtain a Portuguese gambling license from the SRIJ
- Use a .pt domain or clearly identify as Portuguese-licensed
- Integrate with the REJO self-exclusion system
- Implement all mandatory player protection tools
- Comply with strict advertising and marketing rules
- Pay 15% tax on gross gaming revenue (sports betting)
- Pay 25% tax on gross gaming revenue (casino games)
- Submit to regular audits and compliance checks
Taxation
Portugal has a clear tax system for gambling:
- Sports betting: 15% on gross gaming revenue + 8% social security contribution
- Casino games: 25% on gross gaming revenue + 8% social security contribution
- Poker: 15% on gross gaming revenue + 8% social security contribution
- Players: Winnings are tax-free for players
REJO Self-Exclusion
REJO is Portugal's national self-exclusion system:
- Voluntary registration: Players can self-exclude from all licensed operators
- Cross-operator: Exclusion applies to all SRIJ-licensed sites
- Flexible periods: Self-exclusion from 6 months to permanent
- Land-based integration: Also covers land-based casinos
- Immediate effect: Exclusion takes effect immediately
Recent Regulatory Changes
The Portuguese market continues to evolve:
- 2015: Market opening with Decree-Law 66/2015
- 2019: Enhanced player protection measures
- 2021: New advertising restrictions
- 2023: Market review and licensing updates
- Ongoing: SRIJ actively monitors and sanctions non-compliant operators
Responsible Gambling Resources
Portugal provides extensive support for problem gambling:
- REJO: National self-exclusion register
- Linha Vida: National gambling helpline (1414)
- SICAD: Service for Intervention in Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies
- Jogadores Anónimos: Gamblers Anonymous Portugal