Introducing 2020‘s Best Online Casinos in Portugal

Located on the tip of the Iberian Peninsula, many people flock to Portugal for its beaches. However, the country is also a great place to gamble, with legal forms of both online and land-based gambling. At Online-Casinos.com we are determined to review sites and guide users towards the best legal operators in their market, and finding the best online casinos Portugal has to offer is no exception. This page will cover the best casinos online for Portuguese players. Click on the topics below to learn more.

On this page, you’ll find everything you need to know before you set out on your online gambling adventure. We have provided a ranking of the best online casinos in Portugal. All sites we review and recommend are fully licensed and operate legally in the country. The sections following the list break down the various elements we consider when reviewing casino sites. You’ll find info regarding casino games, payment methods as well as casino bonuses. Click the buttons above to jump straight to your topic of interest.

Top Portugal Online Casinos Ranked

After testing the quality of numerous gambling sites, we have created a list of the best Portuguese online casinos. If you’re wondering why our ‘best’ lists differ from country to country, it is because each market has unique laws and regulations that change the characteristics of gambling sites. The most successful companies will tailor their sites to the specific needs and regulations of each market. Here is our list of the top Portugal casino sites:

As I mentioned at the top of the page, all of the sites you’ll find in this article have been subject to review and certified reputable by our team of experts as well as the country’s regulatory the Gambling Commission (Comissão de Jogos) and the Gambling Regulation and Inspection Service (Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos : SRIJ). All of the top operators hold valid gambling licenses. Joining a casino online is easy for Portuguese players. If you’ve ever created an online account anywhere, then you have the gist of the process. Below are the basic steps for creating an account.

Although it is super easy to join any of the best online casinos Portugal has to offer, it is not as simple to find one to play at. That’s because there is a vast sea of online operators that all make promises with the hope of obtaining your patronage. The next sections show you how to tell whether a site is top of the class or not. Once you’ve read the following paragraphs, you should have no trouble finding the perfect betting site for yourself.

Portugal Casino Online Review Criteria

So how was it that we came to our best Portugal online casinos list? The following sections will clue you in on the essential aspects of an online casino site. When you first approach a new site, keep the following things in mind. We have broken it down into four main criteria. You can click to jump straight to a desired topic. However, if you are an absolute casino beginner, I recommend that you read through all of the following sections. At the very least, take the time to learn about online casino safety in Portugal.

Casino Safety and Licensing for Portugal

I cannot stress how important safety is when gaming. The harsh reality is that there are numerous sites that look like the real thing, but are actually scams. That’s why you need to ensure that a casino is fully licensed by the SRIJ. This is the only way you can guarantee you’re playing at a trustworthy Portuguese online casino site. Licenses ensure a broad range of standards have been met from secure payments, fair games and commitment to responsible gambling.

There are two main bodies that oversee online casinos Portugal approves of. First is the Gambling Commission that supervises SRIJ (Gambling Regulation and Inspection Service). The GC has the power to control, inspect and hand out sanctions. The SRIJ hols powers to control and inspect online gambling. Luckily for you, all of the casinos in our best Portugal online casinos list are fully licensed by the aforementioned bodies.

Casino safety is a blanket term that encompasses a lot of different things. In the chart above, you’ll find the important security and safety info for the best Portugal casinos found online. You’ll notice that all of the sites offer secure connections so that your data doesn’t end up in the wrong hands. In addition, the operators utilize a handful of certifying entities to prove that casino games operate correctly.

Auditing organisations test online casino titles to ensure that they aren’t ripping off players. The organisations are never connected to the casinos and remain impartial. Some of the most common organisations you’ll find are game testing firms GLI, eCOGRA and iTech Labs. However, there are a few other European services. A full list of approved testing entities has been published by the SRIJ and can be found here.

The last indicator that you have found yourself on a trustworthy site, is if it clearly makes its commitment to promoting responsible gambling. Typically, at the bottom of a casino site (the footer), you’ll find its licensing info as well as resources that promote responsible gambling.

Software Found at Portuguese Online Casinos

Once you ensure that the minimum safety measures have been met, you can start looking for the fun stuff online casinos Portugal offer. One of the main reasons people are drawn to casinos is the games and a site is only as good as its software platform. There are dozens of quality game developers out there, but a few have risen to prominence. When choosing casino sites to recommend we always look at the titles they carry, to make sure the top software developers are present.

Below, you can see a nice sample of the world’s finest casino game developers. Among the companies listed, you’ll find award-winners as well as cutting edge up and comers. Some of the most popular studios are NetEnt, Playtech, and Microgaming. Here are some of the favoured software developers in Portugal as well as their most popular products.

Portugal’s Best Mobile Casino Options

There are a couple of consistent trends in the world of gambling. One is the rapid growth and expansion of online gaming, the other the growing number of online players who choose to play on mobile devices. The best Portuguese online casino operators have smooth mobile platforms, with which players can play casino games from both Android and iOS mobile devices.

At the greatest mobile casinos in Portugal, you can expect to find all of same features on mobile as on desktop sites. This includes complete access to all casino games, payment options as well as the operator’s customer support channels. Because the websites have been fully optimised for mobile play, there is no need to download a designated casino app. Here are our top choices for mobile online casino play in the country.

Customer Service in Portuguese

I know what you’re thinking, customer service isn’t a sexy topic. Nevertheless, it is a vital one. An operator’s support staff will be the first point of contact for players who encounter a problem. Although modern technology has led to stability in the industry, sometimes you may run into a technical issue. Perhaps your Wi-Fi went out in the middle of a slot spin, or perhaps your payment was declined.

A knowledgeable and responsive support team will help solve hiccups such as these in a jiff. All our recommended operators offer customer support in English, but if you would like to speak Portuguese when interacting with casino staff, make sure your chosen site offers the language.

Diverse Casino Game Catalogue

Not only will the best casinos in Portugal carry some great games, but they should also offer a decent variety of titles. Portugal allows pretty much all casino games to be played online. As a result, it isn’t enough for a site to just carry slots, but it should also carry a wide selection of table options, such as roulette and blackjack.

Below, we have selected the top Portuguese casinos in terms of overall game selection. By selecting one of the sites below, you are guaranteed to have chosen one of the best casino game libraries available to Portuguese players.

The Top Slots Available in Portugal

Slots are by far the most popular type of casino game across the world. A study shows that over 80% of gamers in Portugal claim the “one-armed-bandits” are the game they enjoy playing the most. People are attracted to the game due to its simplistic gameplay as well as diverse themes. You will find hundreds of quality slots at the top casinos online in Portugal. When choosing the slot games below, we factored in the opinions of Portuguese player. These are the most popular online slots as well as where to play them.

Best Blackjack Games in the Country

Players who prefer games, such as blackjack have plenty of gaming options. The game is probably the most popular card game and the online version has many iterations that add fun tweaks to the game’s main rules. The game is known for its high RTP and strategic gameplay, and is featured at gambling locations around the world. If you’re interested to see what all the fuss is about, click one of the links below and you’ll be taken to Portugal’s best online blackjack operators. The table displays the most popular blackjack variant at the site as well as its RTP.

Best Portuguese Online Roulette Games

Perhaps the most elegant of the table options is the ever-popular roulette. The game’s iconic red and black wheel has been entertaining casino patrons for over 100 years. The game is available in both American and French/European formats and is playable online in Portugal. The game is fairly simple, and when making outside bets, you almost have a 50/50 chance of winning. Because of this there are many great betting strategies that have been developed over the years. If you’d like to play roulette online, visit one of the sites below.

Live Casino Platforms

Players with a lot of experience gambling online have probably come across live casino titles. For readers who don’t know, many sites carry live casino games that are streamed in HD and feature real dealers. These games are the closest many online players can get if they don’t live near one of the world’s premier gambling destinations. The live casino market is less competitive than the others and there are currently three providers that can make the argument that it is the best live software company. These studios are Evolution Gaming, Playtech and Extreme Live Gaming. Below you can find the best lice casino sites available to Portuguese players.

Full List of the Online Casino Games Available in Portugal

The games above are the most popular ones, but not the only titles you can find online. To reiterate, Portugal has completely legalized both online and offline casino gaming, and currently regulates many games. Here is a complete list of the casino games and events that can be bet on via the internet in Portugal:

The Best Online Casino Bonuses in Portugal

A key element of a great casino site is its welcome bonus for new players. Online gambling is one of the few industries, where the customer holds most of the power. Because there are so many online casinos, gamers have numerous options out there. Operators know this and have started to use bonuses and promotions to stand out from the rest of the sites out there.

Similar to casinos, however, it can be overwhelming for new and inexperienced punters to find a suitable welcome offer. A lot of research is required when browsing for a great bonus offer. If you don’t know what a free spin is, or have never heard the term ‘wagering requirement,’ I’d like to steer you towards our dedicated page to casino bonus offers, which will break down the topic in more detail.

Above are, in our opinion, the best casino bonuses available at Portugal’s online casino sites. When evaluating offers we factor in the following things: bonus amount, match percentage, validity period, spins and playthrough requirements. All offers come with some wagering requirements, which must be met before one withdraws money. The next paragraph discusses bonus T&Cs.

Bonus Terms and Wagering

If this is your first time accepting a welcome bonus, you should take some time and read the terms and conditions attached to the offer. Some offers come with some lengthy fine-print, so it is best to know what you’re getting into. One of the first things you should look for is a deal’s wagering requirements. What this refers to is the amount, you’ll have to wager before you can withdraw the bonus funds. For example, if you accepted a €10 bonus with a wagering requirement of 30x, you’ll have to wager €300 before you can convert the bonus funds into real cash.

Wagering requirements are there so players can’t just take money from the casino. Businesses would have a difficult time finding success if they simply gave away free money. Typically, an operator will match your first deposit. Some however will make a 200% match. Keep an eye out for these offers. Another thing to keep in mind is that most bonuses are designed for slots play since these are the only games that contribute 100% of wagers in over 90% of the bonuses out there. The last thing to pay attention to is the validity of an offer. Most operators set a designated time frame in which wagering requirements must be met. On average, these periods are about 30-90 days.

The Best Payment Methods Available in the Country

Before you start winning real money, you’ll have to make a casino deposit. When one is dealing with cash, it is vital that payments are kept secure so that your sensitive personal info doesn’t fall into the wrong hands. Gambling licenses certify that an operator is up to security standards, but if you’d like to be extra safe, make sure the site at which you are playing accepts payments with the most trusted online payment services, such as Visa, Mastercard and PayPal.

Above, you’ll find a list of the most popular casino payment services in Portugal. In addition, you can see a few characteristics of each payment type. Deposit and withdrawal methods will have their own limits and processing times. Deposits are usually immediate, and withdrawals take a couple of days. PayPal is the most popular payment type in the country and above you can see my recommended PayPal Portugal casino online site.

Gambling in Portugal 2020 – the Latest Trends

Ever since the country began regulating online gaming, the industry has grown. The SRIJ’s 2018 statistics show that revenue went up 24% across all forms of gambling. This number is expected to grow. Together, all Portugal online casino sites generated €73.3 million in 2018.

The most popular form of digital play is sports betting, but it only edges out casino gambling. Slots accounted for over 60% of the money spent at online casinos in Portugal, while roulette made up 14% of funds wagered by Portuguese players. Blackjack is also a resident favourite.

Is Gambling Legal in Portugal?

Portugal has legalised both offline and internet gambling. As a result, residents of the country can play Vegas-style games, place sports bets and poker all online. The Portuguese government recently approved online gambling through the passing of Decree-Law 66/2015. The law outlined and defined the practice of online games of change in the country. The law came into effect on June 28th, 2015 but it wasn’t until 2016 that the SRIJ approved the first online gambling license.

To get a licence from the SRIJ an operator needs to have its headquarters in Portugal, have tax status in the country, and be able to prove integrity with regards to technical and financial capacity to run a casino. Licenses for online gambling last for three years. Currently, there are 11 licensed entities for online gambling. The most recent casino license was granted to 888 Portugal, who operates Portugal’s 888casino platform.

History of Gambling in Portugal

Gambling is one of the oldest of human activities and it is impossible to say when it emerged in Portugal. Gambling as we know it today, however, is a new phenomenon. Portugal first legalized betting in 1929 with Decree-Law 14,643. Over the years, new laws have been introduced to address the developments within the industry. Portugal isn’t simply known for its historic gambling culture; in fact the country is leading the way into the future. Gambling with Bitcoin is available in the country.

Portuguese Land-Based Casinos

Land-based casinos opened over the last years. The most famous casino in Portugal is Casino Estoril located in the Portuguese Riviera. It is one of the largest casinos in Europe and is rumoured to have inspired the novel Casino Royale.

FAQs About Portuguese Gambling

My team and I try to cover all the important info on our pages, but sometimes we are forced to leave off things that don’t really fit. If you have any specific questions, or something remains unclear, please don’t hesitate to contact us. But first, check to see if your questions have already been answered below.

Is online gambling legal in Portugal?

Yes, online gambling became legal in Portugal in 2015. The SRIJ was established to regulate the activity. The first online gambling operator license was issued in 2016. Since then, more operators have obtained licenses so that they can offer casino games to Portuguese gamers.

Can you win real money playing online slots?

Yes, you can win real money playing online slots. However, in order to win real money, you will need to play with real money. In order to do this, you must make a deposit into a player account. Sometimes casinos will award free spins as part of a welcome bonus, which can be used to win money, but only after wagering requirements have been fulfilled.

I can't find my favourite casino, why is that?

If you can't find your favourite casino site online, chances are it doesn't hold a valid license from the SRIJ. Operators must have a Portuguese office in order to obtain a gambling license. Most of the EU's biggest brands are based in Malta, the UK or Gibraltar. As a result, there are limited online options for players in the region.

Is it safe to play at Portugal casino online?

Yes, it is extremely safe to play at Portugal's online casinos thanks to the SRIJ. I do implore you to only play at sites that are licensed. This is the only way to guarantee a safe gaming experience. The sad truth is that there are many scam sites. Refer to the SRIJ's officially website for a full list of licensed operators.

What is the legal gambling age in Portugal?

The legal gambling age for land-based and online play is 18 years of age or older. To ensure that no underage players have access to games of chance, casino operators will require that players verify their IDs before making a money withdrawal.

Conclusion: Safe Gaming Abound in Portugal

Portugal remains one of the safest places to gamble in the EU. That is because the government has put a lot of effort into regulating the market. Many countries are caught in a legal grey area. This isn’t the case with this territory. After reviewing Portugal’s operators, we have selected the above sites as the best online casinos Portugal has to offer.

All of the listed operators are fully licensed and are thus 100% certified safe sites for gambling. Follow the link above to jump back to the top table. There you’ll find a link to a trusted site full of exciting casino games. Start an account and decide whether or not to accept the welcome bonus.