A general introduction to gambling law in Portugal
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A general introduction to gambling law in Portugal. Under Decree-Law 422/89 (the Portuguese Gaming Law), games of fortune and chance are defined as those in which the result is contingent wholly or mainly on chance. Decrees-law No. 66/2015 (Online Gaming Regime) has a consideration element.
Gambling in Portugal goes back to the Middle Ages when there were casas de tavolagem gambling houses run by gariteiros. The gambling policy of Portugal does not cover speculative and hedging financial products. The law does, however, cover gambling products that are not subject to gaming laws. It also covers ancillary forms of gambling. They include contests, tombola, raffles, advertising contests and knowledge contests. There are no laws regarding them. In Portugal, gambling is not a gambling product. Its laws do not apply to them, so they are non-existent.
A general introduction to gambling law in Portugal covers social state games, pari-mutuel soccer betting, online gambling, fixed odds sports betting and land-based bingo. The law covers the Euromillions, the National Lottery, scratch cards, games of fortune and chance, bingos and poker.
Land-based casino gaming can only be conducted in defined areas. Decree-Law No. 422/89, of 2 December 1989, is the current Portuguese Gaming Law.
reserving gaming to the state with limited liberalisation through concessions for gaming areas and development of entertainment and tourism equipment.
The Portuguese state enacted in 2015 the Legal Framework of Online Gaming and Betting. The general principle is that the operation of land-based gambling is reserved to the state and can only be operated by private entities. There are 11 licences for fixed odds online sports betting and 14 for games of fortune and chance. Social state games (Euromillions, the National Lottery, scratch cards, pari-mutuel soccer betting, Totobola, and Totogolo) and land based sports are operated exclusively by Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa.
bring operators and players to legality, foster sense of community and responsible gambling, protect minors and the most vulnerable persons, and prevent fraud and money laundering activities.
There are several laws and regulations regarding gambling in Portugal. The SRIJ is the regulatory authority. It controls, inspects and regulates gambling activities in casinos and bingo halls. Remote and land-based gambling are authorised to be operated in the country. The National Lottery and the land based sports betting are operated by Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa. There is a clear distinction between bricks-and-mortar and remote gambling. In the case of online gambling, the law provides for the regulation of the online gaming industry.
Decree-Law No. 422/89 (the Portuguese Gaming Law) provides the legal framework of the operation of casino games. Law No 83/2017 establishes combating money laundering and terrorism financing. Order No 50/2012 specifies the regulated professions in the tourism industry.
Decree-Law No. 31/2011 and Order No.: 128/ 2011 regulate the operation of bingo outside the casino areas in Portugal.
Decree-Law No. 66/2015 provides legal framework for the operation of online gambling and betting. Law No., 2/2020 provides the latest amendments to the Decree.
There are 10 gaming zones in Portugal. Land-based gambling can only be operated through a concession within a territorial gaming zone. Online gambling is operated within the entire territory. Concessions for land- based gambling are limited in number, whereas licences to operate online gambling do not have any limit. Bingo rooms that are not located in the casinos are subject to concession and can be only operated in locations previously authorised by the government. Remote gambling and gambling in vessels and aircraft are illegal. Online Gaming Regime applies to the whole territory of Portugal and only licensed operators can offer and accept wagers.
Land-based gambling can only be operated through a concession within a territorial gaming zone, whereas online gambling is operated within the entire territory. Concessions for land- based gambling are limited in number, while licences to operate online casinos do not have any limit. Land-Based Gambling Concession Licences are granted for a long period of time (up to 40 years), whereas the licences for online GPs are renewable.
