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Online Casino in Portugal

Portugal Casinos - Flag of Portugal

The first gambling wave took place in Portugal in 1783, when the government introduced the first lottery which later became national. It was not created for commercial gain. With the help of the national lottery, the Portuguese government wanted to raise money for charity.

Gambling in this country has a long history of development. The first such halls were licensed more than a hundred years ago, while virtual casinos became legal not so long ago. Those who do not want to visit rooms can play on the Internet from any device. This market was launched in Portugal in mid-2016.

Not all modern gamblers know that the first casino was founded in 1904. Fortunately or not, the birth of Portuguese gambling coincided with new political trends in the country. In 1910, the republican form of government replaced the monarchical one, which was accompanied by a period of instability. Surely, these changes have affected all areas of the business. For a certain period, the new government banned and allowed gambling. This strange situation continued until 1926. The new ruler António Salazar established the so-called New State regime which did not call into question the legitimacy of Portuguese gambling. As a result, entrepreneurs opened more clubs that took bets and gave real money. The new and effective regime did not last forever. In the 70s, the Portuguese experienced a period of nationalization. All gaming halls passed into the possession of the government which provoked a negative reaction of the players. A few years later, the business was almost destroyed due to mismanagement, so all casinos were returned to their owners.

To monitor the work of gaming halls and their customers, officials drafted and adopted several bills in 1989 that set clear rules. The Portuguese were happy with the new changes that made gambling affordable. Modern developers and operators never stop, so they are always looking for new solutions. With the advent of the Internet, players from Portugal have not become priority customers in foreign online casinos. Why? The problem lies in the economic sphere of Portugal and poverty. Nevertheless, the government of the country thought a lot about the legalization of gambling to attract tourists and investments. A special law adopted in 2015 was the culmination of this story.

For this reason, we decided to write this review highlighting all the important aspects of the Portuguese gaming business. Also, we will tell you which payment instruments and platforms you can use based in Portugal.

Most of companies here are the partners of our project. However, it will not affect our choice of what company to review and how to place it on the website. We are absolutely free and unbiased in our reviews and opinions.

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Types of Online Casino in Portugal

Sometimes it seems to us that casinos have taken over the entire virtual world. This is so because you probably met bright banners with advertising and bonuses at least once. With these solutions, operators are trying to attract as many customers as possible and they are doing great in Portugal. Local players like modern slot machines flickering with bright lights, animations, and symbols. For some users, this is a great income when you make a minimum bet and win the progressive jackpot. Believe us, you will find many such entertainments in Portuguese online casinos.

Hearing the word casino many of us present luxurious rooms with elegant croupiers, expensive drinks and rich guests. Meanwhile, someone imagines a warm room, a computer, and slippers. In fact, both options are correct because gambling exists not only on land but also in the virtual world. These two types are very similar, but virtual gambling in Portugal has several advantages:

  • Ability to place bets and follow the game session from any gadget.
  • You can download portal software to your device and play at any time. Often such software offers tables with live dealers when a participant is immersed in the atmosphere of a real casino without leaving the room.
  • Speaking of Portuguese virtual casinos, we should say a few words about demo games. This option does not require deposits, so the user can bet without fear of losing the last cent. This item is also a sign of a reliable club.

In Portuguese online casinos, the whole procedure is carried out on the Internet, so you should learn how to manipulate electronic payment systems to get all the benefits of virtual gambling.

Most players continue to visit Live platforms that take gambling to a new level. Now you do not need to spin the reels waiting for random payments. Come to a live casino and show your skills in the game against a real croupier. Sitting at the computer, the participant moves to a special studio where he/she selects a table, makes bets, and wins/loses money. Besides, the location does not matter to you. Just find a comfortable place (office, cafe, a line to the dentist) and play against Portuguese dealers. Broadcasting is carried out using modern cameras in real-time. As a rule, it is broadcast in HD format so the user can follow all the movements of the opponent. Also, you can play against other gamers who came to win real money in the Portuguese live casino.

Please note that such platforms offer table games and several of the newest projects like Dream Catcher, Monopoly, and Football Studio.

All listed games are available in the best gaming halls that you will find on our website. As always, we have compiled a list of recommended resources including Bet365, All British Casino, and other reputable portals. In addition, some of them offer Bitcoin as a deposit method. Yeah, this option is offered to Portuguese gamers as well.

Types of Casino Games for Portuguese Gamblers

The purpose of virtual casinos lies in a wide range of gaming models. They are always interesting, vibrant and attractive therefore such sites have become popular not only in Portugal but also in Britain and other countries where they have legal status. Taking into account the endless stream of games in Portuguese casinos, we can divide them into several categories:

Card games require participants not only luck but also certain skills and strategies. This category is represented by the popular Solitaire/Poker/Craps/Baccarat/Pontoon/Blackjack and their different versions.

Roulette is a unique development that is always associated with gaming halls. This is a special field with a wheel and a ball. First, the dealer accepts all bets, then he/she launches the wheel determining the winners. This game attracts with enhanced bets. For example, you can select a colour, cell, number, and so on. Almost all Portuguese platforms offer European/American/French Roulette.

Please note some roulettes, as well as, card games are available at Portuguese Live Casinos. This means you can play against real players receiving new emotions and big payouts.

We do not know why bingo has become less popular these days. However, you should know that this is an exciting game consisting of a rotating drum with balls from 1 to 75 (or 90), cards and additional elements that determine the winners. Filling the entire playing field you only need to say Bingo! and take the money.

Video slots have always been popular in Portugal. These are digital versions of traditional slot machines presented in all offline rooms. On the Internet, they are developed using Flash / HTML5 tools, which makes them convenient and versatile. Starting in any browser, they guarantee a high-quality and smooth gaming session without delay. Depending on preferences, Portuguese players can find classic 3-reel fruit machines or modern models with 5+ reels animations and bonuses. It is worth noting progressive slots with large prize pools.

Portuguese users often choose the slots below:

  • Blade;
  • Thunderstruck II;
  • Taco Brothers;
  • Gods of Giza;
  • Fruit vs Candy.

A few years ago, the Playtech Company introduced the Blade slot with 5 columns and numerous bonus options including multiplier up to x5 with free spins. The model is also different in the play of progressive payouts.

Developed by Microgaming Thunderstruck II, the slot offers to meet the most powerful god on 5 reels. A game filled with free spins, mini-games and special characters are guaranteed to pay a lot.

Taco Brothers slot is based on 5 reels and 243 ways to win. To attract your attention, Elk added thematic symbols, three-dimensional graphics and several bonus elements that complement the prize chains.

The theme of Ancient Egypt and the mysterious pyramids attracts the Portuguese over and over again so they choose the Gods of Giza slot. In addition to 3D graphics and sacred relics, participants will find adventures and treasure chests hidden in 4 reels and 20 cells.

All who dream of a sweet life choose Fruit vs Candy online slot with themed symbols and a good mood. Fruits, sweets, and other pictures make up chains in almost every round, plus users can use re-spin, free spins, wild, and so on.

Online Gambling Laws and Regulations in Portugal

As you already understood, the Portuguese government is trying to improve the gambling sphere to solve several important problems in the country. At the moment, the gambling market in Portugal is regulated by 2 acts adopted in 1989 and 2011. From time to time they are supplemented by various amendments. For example, poker and its variations were added to the list of allowed games in mid-2011. After 4 years, online operators working in Portugal received legal status.

These laws permit gaming rooms and similar entertainment only in 10 regions of Portugal. All the exceptions are discussed below.

  • Slot machines on cruise liners/aircraft registered in the country. In this case, the vehicle must be located outside of Portugal.
  • Conducting lotteries and non-bank games during entertainment, sports for tourists.
  • Installation of tables and slot machines in crowded places. First of all, they are installed in large Portuguese hotels that receive guests from other countries.

As we have already said, virtual platforms have been operating in Portugal since 2015 when the corresponding law was signed. Thus, the Portuguese authorities provided a list of allowed games, the number of tax deductions and presented requirements for license holders. Since then, virtual casinos and all poker rooms pay taxes from 15 to 30% of income. Meanwhile, bookmakers give away only 8 to 16%. Before opening a casino or organizing gambling in Portugal, the operator must win an open tender by receiving appropriate permission for this business.

The legalization of online gambling in Portugal was not useful to all operators. Brands such as William Hill, Betfair, and 888 were forced to leave this market because they worked in other jurisdictions breaking the laws in Portugal. This is an interesting feature because Portuguese regulators do not prohibit local gamers from visiting foreign sites and winning real money.

Portugal has always demonstrated a loyal attitude towards slot machines and casinos in general. Therefore, it adopted several additional amendments for foreign operators who wanted to obtain a license in the country. These permissions returned the legendary PokerStars to Portugal, which increased the number of players.

In 2019, the Portuguese gambling market is actively developing offering new solutions not only to players but also to developers and casino owners. After further changes, Portugal is open only to virtual casinos approved by the European Commission.

Best Deposit Methods for Portuguese Gamblers

Despite the advantages of the demo game that we talked about earlier, it does not allow gamers to win real money. To get this opportunity you need to create an account and make at least one deposit. To do this, you should study the affordable payment solutions before risking a jackpot at a Portuguese casino. Below we describe the best tools for players from Portugal. Each of them has pros/cons, so you decide which one will be the most convenient.

  • To deposit and withdrawal money without worrying about security, many gamers choose VISA/MasterCard. These days, every second Internet user has at least one such card, so this is a popular service in virtual casinos that accept customers from Portugal. Among the shortcomings, we can distinguish transaction limits and possible fees.
  • WebMoney is a fairly popular e-commerce tool that is used by players from Portugal, the UK, and other countries. Clients of this service always pay a minimum fee of 0.8% and this is a great advantage considering the huge commissions of other services. It is worth noting a wide selection of currencies: hryvnia/euro/dollars/rubles. The system monitors the activity of each client, so it can block suspicious accounts.
  • English Moneybookers, known today as Skrill, continues to attract the attention of Portuguese users who spend a lot of time on the Internet. Advantages of the system: instant transactions and maximum privacy. You only need to provide your email and password. The list of disadvantages is limited to one item: for each transaction, you pay an extra 1%
  • All who are looking for fast transactions with a high level of security choose the Neteller service with an excellent reputation in the field of virtual gambling. Accordingly, it cooperates with almost all Portuguese casinos that make it popular.

These are the main tools on Portuguese platforms but there are also alternative services like UseMyFunds; AstroPay Card; Ukash PugglePay; Paysafecard; Siru Mobile Euteller.

Accepted Currencies in Portugal

The history of local currency began 7 centuries ago when King Ferdinand I introduced Portuguese real. This currency existed before the Portuguese Revolution in 1911. The Portuguese escudo was chosen as the new currency that has been successfully used in all areas. This lasted until 2002 when Portugal joined the European Union and adopted the euro. If you are going to visit this country and play in local gaming halls you will not have problems with the exchange currency. Travelers can use both metal coins (from 0.01 to 2 euros) and paper notes in denominations of 5/10/20/50/100/200/500 euros.

By the way, Portugal is one of the first countries that refused t national currencies and adopted the euro. These changes were beneficial for Portugal, which had an unstable economic situation in the world market. The euro was designed to change the situation and bring stability to the country. As a result, Portugal has become popular among tourists who come to explore a unique culture, enjoy beautiful landscapes, and win real money in local gaming rooms. Other currencies like dollars and pounds are rarely used in the country.

Also, Portuguese gamers can find online casinos that work with cryptocurrency. Digital coins are beneficial because they are free and secure. Besides, you gain anonymity.

Predictions About the Future of Online Gambling in Portugal

The Portuguese government is keeping pace with technology by legalizing all forms of gambling on land and the Internet. Creating a comfortable environment for casino business gives Portugal over 225 million EUR per year. At the moment, in Portugal, there are 10+ gaming halls located in special zones that are allowed to provide these services.

Operators and their products are subject to 2 basic laws adopted by the 90s. It is worth noting a few amendments that expanded the list of allowed gambling and made them more attractive. Furthermore, Portugal always invites foreign brands like PokerStars that will attract new players and investments. Three Portuguese organizations do this business:

  • Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos do Turismo de Portugal;
  • Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa;
  • The Gambling Commission.

Nowadays, we do not have information about Portuguese companies that develop gaming machines and solutions for gaming halls. But the gambling market itself shows excellent results, especially when online games have become legal. Accordingly, we can make a positive forecast about the prospects for Portuguese gambling. The lottery shows excellent growth and the players have dozens of available websites with slot machines. Moreover, they can visit foreign portals with different promotions and bonuses. We advise you to visit British online casinos which are distinguished by an improved security system, friendly service, and generous payments.

Last Updated: Apr 15, 2021

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