Online Casinos in Portugal

Online Casino Regulation in Portugal

Gambling in Portugal dates back to the start of the 20th century. The first casino that was established in the country was founded in 1904, and unlike the vast majority of well-developed European countries, Portugal only banned gambling for short periods of time. Even nowadays, Portugal is home to one of the most attractive land-based casinos in the world, Casino Estoril.

Nonetheless, the situation around online gambling has not been that rosy all the time. Portugal didn't have a regulated online casino market until 2015, when the government passed the new Legal Framework for Online Gambling and Betting. With it, the Portuguese Gambling Regulatory Authority (SRIJ) is in charge of overseeing the sector and operators must obtain a licence before they allow Portuguese players to participate in real-money online casino gambling.

One of the drawbacks of the Portuguese online gambling laws is the high tax that operators must pay. The tax rate is determined by the nature of the game. All in all, here are the most important aspects of the legal framework that controls the gambling market in Portugal:

• Online gambling in Portugal has been legal since 2015.
• The SRIJ is the regulatory body that issues licences.
• Online players' winnings are not taxed.
• Licences are valid for three years, after which online casinos can ask for a renewal.
• Portugal casinos online must put together a responsible gambling policy.

Introduction to Online Casinos in Portugal

Under the new legislation from 2015, the following types of casino gambling are allowed in Portugal: Slot games, table games like blackjack and roulette, poker, and bingo.

When it comes to payment methods at online casinos that accept Portugal players, you may be allowed to use credit cards for online gambling, depending on the bank. There are no other notable restrictions on payment methods, except for cryptocurrencies. The use of digital assets is not authorised, since tokens and cryptocurrencies are not yet regulated in Portugal.

For the licencing process of the casino online Portugal, this is a general overview of the procedure SRIJ uses to determine whether to approve the request or not:

• Reputation and Capacity: Of course, the applicant must have a good reputation and economic capacity to be able to obtain a licence. The applicant must submit documents that prove its stability and reputation.
• Gambling System Certification: Moreover, the applicant must issue certification reports by independent testing agencies.
• Licence Fee: The applicant must pay a licence fee and one collateral guarantee of $500,000.

Top Portuguese Online Casinos by Category

Are you looking for a VIP casino that will reward its loyal customers? Or a live casino that will provide an immersive and interactive gaming experience? Each online casino in Portugal has a different strategy for attracting new and retaining already-registered users, which is the beauty of the iGaming sector. As such, every site you will find on our list has a different unique selling point, so depending on what your preferences as a player are, here are the best-rated casinos in Portugal by category.

Payment Methods in Portuguese Online Gambling Sites

The continued expansion of online casinos in Portugal means that must offer a versatile product that will cater to a wide range of players. Part of that product is the list of payment methods. Each casino player in Portugal has different preferences for their casino transactions, so let's take a look at the most widely accepted and used payment options in the country.

Credit/Debit Cards

There are no restrictions in Portugal's regulation when it comes to using cards for funding casino accounts and making withdrawals, although some banks may prohibit users from using their cards for gambling-related activities. At the moment, the most popular card issuers for gambling in Portugal are VISA and Mastercard. These options guarantee safe deposits and withdrawals, but their drawback is that payouts can sometimes take up to 5 business days.

Multibanco

Moving on, we have Multibanco, a local and very popular payment system in Portugal that links over 25 banks in the country. Anyone who has a card from one of the accepted banks in Portugal has access to Multibanco's system. This payment method allows casino players to make seamless deposits at online casinos, so you'll be happy to know that all Portuguese-based online casinos support it among their lists of payment methods.

MB Way

MB Way is a big part of the Multibanco system and it works as a digital wallet that allows players in Portuguese online casinos to make easy payment via their mobile device. Moreover, the MB Net service generates virtual cards, so you can use them for casino transactions at all times. To make a casino transaction via the MB Way app, all you need to do is enter the casino's account number and the amount you wish to send, so it is among the best bank transfer services you can use for online gambling.

PayPal

PayPal is a very convenient and commonly accepted payment method in Portuguese online casinos. One of the biggest selling points of PayPal is that it allows users to make near-instant deposits and withdrawals, with minor fees to be aware of. PayPal is highly secure and easy to use. All you need to do is create an account on the official PayPal website and link it to your bank account. Then, you can just top up your PayPal account whenever you need to and use the funds for your online gambling endeavour.

Skrill

Skrill is another e-wallet that enjoys widespread popularity for online gambling. Millions of players all around the world use Skrill to seamlessly move funds between casinos and themselves. As is the case with PayPal, all you have to do is top up your Skrill account via bank transfer, card payment, or prepaid voucher, and you can use it at dozens of online casinos in Portugal. In addition, Skrill offers additional security features like two-factor authentication and fraud monitoring, so you can rest assured your money is well-protected at all times.

Bank Transfers

Bank transfers are ideal if you seek to deposit larger sums into your casino account, without worrying that the transfer will be blocked by your bank. Nonetheless, one of the downsides of bank transfer transactions is that they take significantly longer to complete compared to digital wallets. Some banks may also charge transaction fees, so you ought to check that aspect before choosing bank transfers as your preferred payment method.

Cryptocurrencies

Despite cryptocurrencies not being accepted as a legal payment method in Portugal, several offshore gambling sites allow Portuguese users to make deposits and withdrawals with various digital assets. Fast withdrawals, low-fee transactions and near-anonymous payments are just some of the advantages that come with crypto gambling. So, if you want to dive into the decentralised world of crypto gambling, the likes of Bitcoin, Dogecoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Tether, and Monero are just some of the digital assets you can use for deposits and withdrawals at our suggested operators.

Mobile Gambling & Casino Apps in Portugal

The impeccable technological development in recent years has propelled mobile casinos to the very top of the iGaming industry. Given that the majority of Portuguese people now own a smartphone, it's safe to say that mobile casinos offer the greatest convenience. Players in Portugal can access their favourite casino games anytime and anywhere, thus integrating their gambling adventure seamlessly into their everyday lives.

With all that in mind, all casinos we have suggested feature mobile-friendly websites, and here are some of the advantages that come with mobile gambling in Portugal:

• Convenience: The first advantage that comes with mobile gambling is convenience, meaning that you won't have to always open your laptop to play casino games. Every casino will be at your fingertips at all times, as long as you have a stable internet connection.


• Diverse Game Library: Mobile casinos in Portugal offer a wide array of games, all of which are optimised for mobile devices. You can look forward to superior graphics and smooth gameplay, regardless of the game you choose.


• Bonuses: Sometimes, for a casino to incentivise players to download their mobile app, they will offer a special mobile casino bonus that only mobile gamblers will be eligible to claim.

All other functionalities are also available at any mobile casino. You will be able to make transactions, contact support, participate in tournaments, etc. Some online casinos in Portugal even go a step further and create a mobile app. The app will be free to download, either from the Google Play Store/App Store or via the operator's official website.

Online Casino Games in Portugal

To help you better grasp the Portuguese iGaming sector, you need to fully understand the different categories of games you can look forward to playing for real money or free. All casinos we suggest partner with leading game providers and have top-notch game libraries so here is a rundown on what you can expect.

Slot Games

Slots are synonymous with gambling, as they are the most widely recognised casino games you will find at our suggested legal online casinos in Portugal. Slots have very simple gameplay, but they can secure you substantial returns if you are lucky enough to win.

Slots come in many different themes and have a variety of bonus features, such as free spins rounds, mini-games, fixed jackpots, Wilds, Scatters, win multipliers, etc. There are several types of slots to choose from: Traditional three-reel slots, modern video slots, progressive jackpots, multi-payline slots, etc. Some of the game providers that are better-known for their amazing slots portfolio include NetEnt, Yggdrasil, Wazdan, Play'n GO, Playtech, and Red Tiger, just to name a few.

When it comes to popular slots for Portuguese players, there are simply too many slots to choose from, so we would understand if you don't know where to start. To save you time on research, here are some of our recommendations for the best slots at online casinos accepting players from Portugal:

• Starburst
• Rich Wilde and the Book of the Dead
• Bonanza Megaways
• Gonzo’s Quest
• Primate King
• Gonzo’s Quest Megaways

Classic Table Games

Table games are a staple in every online casino Portugal. Some of these games are games of chance, while others allow you to use some strategies to at least improve the odds in your favour. Here are the most popular casino games that fall under this umbrella:

• Poker
• Blackjack Games
• Roulette Games
• Craps
• Baccarat

Prominent game providers ensure to create several versions of the table games categories above, so you can always choose something new to add a bit of versatility to your gambling endeavour.

Live Dealer Games

Live dealer games have emerged as arguably the most thrilling game categories in the online casino gaming industry all around the world. Such games involve live dealers with whom you can communicate, as well as several HD cameras all around the studio that will ensure you never miss a thing.

All of the most popular table games mentioned above feature live versions, but you can also enjoy several game shows that are a mix of popular TV shows and casino games. Well-established live casino game developers at Portuguese casino sites include Ezugi, Evolution Gaming, and Pragmatic Play.

Specialty Games

Finally, if you ever want a change in scenery when gambling online in a Portuguese online casino, you will be happy to know that there are additional speciality games you can try out. Lottery, Keno, Bingo, Scratchcards, and Sic Bo are just some of the most notable examples.

Top 10 Live Casinos in Portugal

Live casino games guarantee you a gaming experience like you've never experienced before. If you are ready to dive into the world of amazing live casino games, here are the best online gambling operators in Portugal with extensive live casino game catalogue:

• Velobet
• WazBee
• Herake
• BC.Game
• TopCGame
• Rollino
• Weiss
• 888starz.bet
• Cosmobet
• Airbet

All these casinos are worthy of inclusion on our list of suggestions, as they passed the strict reviewing test with flying colours. These sites guarantee a safe gambling platform, an extensive game catalogue, responsive support, as well as the most rewarding bonuses you can find in the Portuguese online gambling sector!

Choose and Compare The Best Online Casinos Portugal

An amazing and potentially rewarding gambling endeavour awaits you at our recommended Portugal casinos online! You now have all the information you need about how the iGaming sector functions in Portugal, as well as the best online casino sites in the country. That means that all that is left for you is to browse through our list of sites, compare and choose accordingly!