Portugal has an influential online gambling scene that attracts upwards of 500,000 bettors on a regular basis. As of 2025 there are 13 sportsbooks licensed by the SRIJ, with Betano, Betclic and Solverde taking the lion's share.
However, imposed high taxation for operators means lower and less offers for players. For that reason the majority of locals register with international bookmakers and access regular Free Bets and extensive markets coverage in all the top leagues.
On this page, we will provide you with a complete list of the best betting sites in Portugal, both local and international, while also answering key questions about legality and taxes. Let’s start with our 3 highest-rated sites.
Bookmaker Comparison | Local Licensed | International |
Licensing | Serviço de Regulação Inspeção de Jogos | Malta, Curacao, Kahnawake and other international regulators |
Payment Methods | Debit Cards, Credit Cards, PayPal, Mobile Payments, Multibanco | Debit Cards, Credit Cards, E-wallets, Cryptos, 30+ Other Options |
User Experience | Fully localized for Portuguese users (language, payments) | Many sites support the Portuguese language |
KYC Verification | Mandatory | Depending on the website |
Taxation | No Taxation | No Taxation |
Local and international betting sites in Portugal do not have that many differences between them. If you are looking to perform transactions with PayPal or Multibanco, you should opt in for Portuguese licensed brands, while cryptocurrencies are only available offshore.
Full List of Bookmakers in Portugal
How to Find the Best Portuguese Betting Sites
Gambling in the country has exploded over the last few years, which has led hundreds of brands to enter the market. To simplify your life, we have created a shortlist of all the criteria you should evaluate before opening a new account.
Sports & Markets
Whether you are a pro or recreational player, the number one aspect you must ensure that the site is great on is to offer all your favorite sports, like football, golf, and basketball, with high odds. In addition, the number of selections is key. Avoid using betting sites in Portugal that only offer a handful of markets, which is especially common in minor sports.
Live Betting
Of course, pre-match wagering is only half. Most Portuguese players prefer playing live, so your selected bookmaker must offer a thorough in-play experience. From high odds to an ample selection of markets and features, ensure your bookie delivers on all and more.
Features
These have become essential to players, especially professionals who use them to create new strategies. The ones that most players demand to have at their disposal are Live Streaming, Bet Builder, and Cash Out.
Payments
You can top up your betting account with many different options. The most popular in Portugal are debit cards, PayPal, Multibanco, and mobile payments. Note that locally licensed operators do not offer cryptocurrency transactions. For those, you must visit international bookmakers.
Localization
Understandably, all online sportsbooks will offer the local currency (€). However, especially if your English is not great, you should look for sites that also allow you to navigate the sportsbook and casino in Portuguese and also come with Portuguese Customer Service. In addition, make sure that your selected bookie allows you to perform transactions with all the local payments.
What You Need to Know About Online Betting in Portugal
Active Players | Legal Age | Local Currency | Player Protection |
500,000+ | 18 | Euro (€) | SRIJ |
The government took the first real steps towards regulating the betting landscape back in 1961. This was through the foundation Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa (SCML), which was a charity that was given the exclusive right to organize and regulate all Portugal betting activities.
In the early 2000s, Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa (SCML) extended its monopoly in the online sector. More specifically, with the implementation of the Legislative Decree 282 in 2003, SCML was the only one granted a license to operate online in the country.
Not only that, but the local authorities blocked the operators that kept accepting local players. Things took a turn for the better in 2015 when a decisive step was taken towards the liberalization of the gambling market, as they decided to issue licenses for international bookmakers in Portugal. However, heavy taxation has kept many of them out of the market but still accessible by local players.
Is Sports Betting in Portugal Legal?
Gambling in Portugal is legal as of June 28, 2015, when the regulation came into full effect. You can bet on one of the 13 brands with a license from Serviço de Regulação Inspeção de Jogos (SRIJ) or go the international way. We have not noticed any serious measures taken against players who sign up on these platforms.
What Are the Tax Implications in Portugal?
Despite the harsh regulations licensed brands must follow, players do not have to pay taxes on their winnings. Only betting sites must pay taxes to the government. The fixed-odds sports bets are subject to an 8% tax rate based on the turnover from the previous month. Interestingly, the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa pays half the tax compared to foreign licensees. Commission for casinos or betting exchanges is higher, 25% and 35%, respectively.
International vs. Local Betting Sites in Portugal
If you live in Portugal, you have a tough choice between local and international bookmakers. On the one hand, if you are playing in offshore bookies, you cannot use the local SRIJ authority to file complaints or exclude if you are a problem gambler. In addition, chances are the sites will not be available in Portuguese and will not offer all the local payment options, such as Multibanco or PayPal.
On the other hand, mainly due to the number of options available, international Portuguese betting sites offer more markets for all sports, higher odds, and better bonuses and promotions. Moreover, you can top up your account with cryptos, which is not true with licensed operators.
Can You Use Betting Apps in Portugal?
Absolutely. All the top brands in the country have already developed a mobile application you can install directly on your phone. If you cannot find it in the App or Play Store, do not worry. Simply visit the official website and scroll until you find the correct file. Obtaining the app is usually a matter of a few minutes. If your phone is incompatible with the app or has no app to download, you can place your wagers on the mobile website instead.
What Does Online Betting in Portugal Look Like?
The revenue for sports betting in Portugal is projected to reach €300 million in 2025. Based on previous years, this represents an annual growth of 4.56%. More and more players choose to bet online regularly, mainly on the following sports.
Football Betting in Portugal
It is no shock that the Portuguese love football. The local Primeira Liga is not only popular in Portugal but has a global reach. Portuguese bettors love to place wagers on the top domestic competitions but are also interested in others, namely the Spanish and English top leagues, where intricate Player and Team Stats or Corner and Foul markets are found regularly for casual and experienced bettors alike.
Basketball Betting in Portugal
Even though your mind does not immediately go to Portugal when you think about basketball, its popularity has increased exponentially in the last decade and, in terms of wagers, it is second only to football in the country. Betting sites in Portugal offer high odds on a range of competitions, especially the NBA, the Euroleague.as well as the FIBA Champions League and Europe Cup where the Portuguese teams compete Τhe domestic Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol although not as prominent, it’s still covered for local fans.
Futsal Betting in Portugal
This sport is closely related to football but is played indoors on a hard surface in a 5-against-5 format. Portugal is actually one of the top countries in the world in terms of futsal, having won the world championship multiple times. The only problem is that the sport is not well-covered by most bookies, meaning you will only have a handful of markets at your disposal.
Cycling Betting in Portugal
Last but not least, cycling is one of the most followed sports in the country, especially since many people ride bicycles in their everyday lives. This has led all the local and international bookmakers in Portugal to thoroughly cover it and offer a wide range of selections on all the notable events in the calendar year, including the Volta cycling race.
How To Start Sports Betting in Portugal - Step By Step
To create a betting account on a platform tailored for Portuguese users, follow the steps below:
- 1 Choose a Betting Site: Finding the ideal brand requires careful consideration. Look for a site that aligns with your preferences regarding sports, market diversity, payment options, and services. Take your time to compare various platforms before making a choice.
- 2 Register an Account: Once you've selected a suitable bookmaker, head to the website to complete the registration process. Typically, you’ll need to provide personal details like your address, email address, and password. Licensed operators also require you to go through the KYC (Know Your Customer) verification before you can start placing bets.
- 3 Deposit Funds: After signing up and completing the verification process, proceed to the cashier section to add money to your balance. Choose your preferred method, specify the deposit amount, and confirm the transaction. Your account will then be credited, enabling you to start betting.
- 4 Start Betting: With a funded account, you can place wagers. Browse the sportsbook to find your desired sport and betting market. Once you've made your selection, enter your stake, confirm the wager, and enjoy the betting experience.
Which Payments Do Portuguese Bettors Prefer?
Underneath, you can find the most popular methods available to betting sites in Portugal that locals prefer using for gambling transactions.
⏩ Debit & Credit Cards: Debit and credit cards have become the most popular payment methods, not just for online betting but for all everyday activities. Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro cards are accessible to all online bookies.
⏩ Multibanco: This is the most well-known local payment method in Portugal. Multibanco bookmakers allow instant transactions coupled with high-security levels. You must have an active Portuguese bank account to download the app and open an account.
⏩ PayPal: Since this e-wallet is available worldwide, many local and international bookmakers have added it to their cashier sections. Of course, other e-wallets like Skrill and Neteller are also widespread in the country.
Do Portuguese Betting Sites Allow Cryptocurrencies?
Sadly, licensed operators do not accept crypto transactions for deposits and withdrawals. The reason behind this is to avoid money laundering. If you want to perform transactions with cryptocurrencies, you must visit one of the top international crypto bookmakers and play there.
Sports Betting in Portugal: What Does the Future Hold
Even though the gambling market has been fully regulated since 2015, only a handful of brands have applied for and obtained a local license in the country. Not only that, but some top names, like Bwin and Betfair, have exited the market.
This is because of the high taxation on gross profits imposed on the licensees, which makes the market unattractive. On the other hand, big international betting sites in Portugal do not seem eager to apply for a license unless the local authorities lower the tax rates.
In addition, the fact that offshore operators provide a more appealing package in terms of odds, bonuses, and services has led many locals to place their wagers there. We expect this situation to continue since we do not expect a radical change in legislation any time soon.
Gambling in Similar Countries
Though Spain shares the only border with Portugal, and Brazil shares its language, each of these countries has its own gambling legal framework. Whether you are a local or a tourist, and you are planning on visiting any of these top two destinations for betting, here is some information you need to know:
⏩ Spain: has casinos, bookmakers, and other forms of gambling completely legal both online and on land. Spaniards can find local and off-shore bookmakers, while the operators that have no licensing tend to get blacklisted. This is why you might need to use VPNs to access the best betting sites in Spain.
⏩ Brazil: awaited its former president's signature of the new bill regulating gambling, but unfortunately, it was never signed. For the moment, all casinos and bookmakers are technically illegal and operating in the grey. The fact that there is no persecution for online gamblers makes the Brazil betting sites richer in options compared to the Portuguese.
Gambling in Portugal has been legal since April 29, 2015, when the Decree-Law no.66, which is in force until today, was officially introduced, and the Regime Jurídico dos Jogos e Apostas Online (RJO) was established.
The legal age for sports betting in Portugal starts at 18. Adult players are free to register and play on any local or international operators as long as they can complete the KYC process.
The bookie is one of the top names among international operators. Our Betano review explores all the features, markets, and services it offers, such as the Android/iOS app.
Some big names offer their services to locals. Among the most notable international bookmakers in Portugal, you can find 22bet, 20bet, Ivibet, and Powbet.
Most users elect to top up their accounts via debit cards, credit cards, PayPal or other e-wallets, and mobile payments. Note that crypto transactions are not available in locally licensed operators.
All licensed bookmakers are already paying high taxes to the government. On the other hand, players’ winnings are not subject to an income tax or any other type of tax.
The locals are avid bettors. However, they don’t just place wagers on football. Among others, golf, cycling, and basketball betting are very popular in Portugal.
If you are interested in the welcome package up to €1,000 the bookie offers, make sure to check out our Bettilt bonus review to know all the requirements attached to it.