Best casino sites in Portugal

Population: 10,3 million
Active Players: 3 million
Currency: Euro (€)
Regulated Gambling Products: Casino, sports betting, horse racing, lotteries
Operator Types: Land-based and online licensed casinos, offshore online casinos
Designated Authority: Serviço de Regulação Inspeção de Jogos (SRIJ)
Status: Regulated

Located on the Iberian Peninsula, Portugal is a vibrant country with a rich culture and amazing landscapes. Port Wine is one of the most famous exports of Portugal, a wine enjoyed all across the globe. Of course, you can’t mention this country without talking about Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the best football players in history.

For those interested in casinos, Portugal is a very welcoming country. There are many land-based casinos across the country, especially on the hundreds of kilometers of coastline. Furthermore, the online gambling market is fully regulated and there are many options when it comes to online casinos authorized in Portugal.

In this article, we’re going to take a close look at how online gambling takes place in Portugal with a focus on online casinos. Also, you will find valuable information on how to enjoy the best casinos in Portugal. 

Did You Know That?

• The legal gambling age in Portugal is 18
• Around 30% of adult citizens gamble at least once a week
• Both local and international online casinos can operate in the country based on a license issued by SRIJ
• Online casino activity has spiked since early in 2020
• There are no gambling taxes applied to players’ winnings

Casino Sites in Portugal

No matter if we’re talking about land-based venues or casinos online, Portugal is a country with numerous options for gambling enthusiasts. Despite being a fully-regulated market, the online casino landscape in Portugal is split between licensed casinos and offshore operators. 

Legal Casino Sites in Portugal

There are 15 licenses issued for online casinos by the Serviço de Regulação Inspeção de Jogos at the moment of writing this article. The list of licensed operators includes big names such as Betwat, 888, Betano, or Betclic. So, it goes without saying that when it comes to enjoying a casino Portugal online, players have some solid options. However, the licensed casinos are obliged to follow some strict rules on advertising and bonuses. That makes Portuguese casino enthusiasts look towards offshore casinos as well.

International Casino Sites in Portugal

There are no restrictions or actions taken by the Portuguese authorities against players choosing to access the international casinos accepting players from the country. It is estimated that around 10% of players enjoy their favorite casino games at offshore casinos entirely. The preference towards casinos not licensed in Portugal can come from the bigger bonuses available here and a wider offer of online slots and table games, since not all the software providers applied for a license in Portugal.

Welcome Bonuses and Deposit Limits

As previously mentioned, licensed online casinos in Portugal need to follow the rules set by SRIJ when it comes to offering welcome bonuses. This means they can’t go too high with the bonus amount. This makes “deposit €10 to play with €50” a quite common casino Portugal bonus. And while that translates to a 400% bonus on your first deposit, the low maximum amount makes these offers less appealing to players depositing bigger amounts. On the other hand, offshore casinos offer bonuses of 100% or 200% with a maximum amount that can go over €500. In both cases, the minimum amount that makes you eligible for the welcome bonus is €10, however, we recommend double-checking that for each casino.

Betting with EUR

You will have no problems finding a great online casino that offers EUR currency. Since it’s used in so many countries across Europe, EUR is offered at local and international casinos alike. So, you can focus on finding the best new online casinos in Portugal without worrying about currency exchange. 

How to Deposit and Withdraw on Portuguese Casino Sites?

Every new beginning at an online casino starts with making a deposit. To be able to enjoy your favorite slots and win real money, you’ll have to top-up your account first. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular payment options in Portugal. 

Bank Transfer

If you want to deposit directly from your bank account, you can use Multibanco. The payment option is developed locally and includes 27 banks in Portugal. Offered by all the licensed Portuguese casinos and supported by most international operators alike, Multibanco is an instant and tax-free payment and withdrawal option.

eWallet Options

Despite having a locally-developed bank transfer option, many Portuguese players still prefer ewallets for topping up their casino accounts. Even though there are no local ewallet providers, international ones are available in the country. Neteller, Skrill, and PayPal are often used for depositing and requesting withdrawals. 

Mobile Payments

When it comes to depositing from a mobile device, casino enthusiasts in Portugal can, once more, turn to Multibanco. The dedicated mobile app makes it a lot easier for mobile users to add funds to their accounts and enjoy their favorite slots and table games on the go. 

Cryptocurrency

While there are no licensed casinos offering cryptocurrency as a deposit method, there plenty of international operators that embraced Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other similar digital currencies. Bitstarz is one of the first casinos to offer this option to players and it’s still going strong today.

How to Create and Verify Your Account on Portuguese Casino Sites

No matter if you want to enjoy a casino online Portugal legal operator or an offshore casino, you will have to create an account to access their services. The registration process is quite straightforward. However, we put together a step-by-step guide so you have all the info you may need:

• Visit the casino website or open the mobile app if you’re playing on your phone
• Click the “Register” or “Join” button to start the process
• You’ll get a new window where some personal information is requested
• Some casinos will ask for a phone number as well to send a verification code via SMS
• You’ll also be asked to insert a Promo Code if you have one for a special bonus
• Decide if you want to receive any communications from the casino
• Finish the registration process by clicking on the button at the bottom of the screen. 

In most cases, especially if you’re playing at a licensed casino, you will be asked to verify your account after registration. This means you’ll have to send some documents over email or simply upload them to your account. It’s a standard verification process that would be done before your first withdrawal anyway, so it’s better to have things sorted and speed up your first win.

What Can We Expect from Portuguese Gambling Law Changes?

It’s unlikely to see any changes in the near future since the current status of the Portuguese online casino market isn’t in place for such a long time and it looks like they found the recipe for success. While operators still hope they’ll get some sort of tax relief, with Portugal having one of the highest gambling taxes in Europe, it doesn’t look like the authorities will change anything soon. The focus nowadays goes towards limiting gambling addiction and making sure players are protected during these changing times.