Brazilians Lead Foreign Online Gamblers in Portugal Market
Brazilians now account for nearly half of all foreign online gamblers in Portugal, according to the latest figures from the Gambling Regulation and Inspection Service (SRIJ). While Portuguese citizens still dominate the market, representing 93.6% of the 4.9 million registered accounts, the presence of Brazilian players is surging amid a tightening regulatory environment in their home country.
The Breakdown of Foreign Bettors
As of late June, SRIJ data shows that 314,528 foreign nationals are registered on Portugal’s digital gambling platforms. Of that group, 46.1%—totaling 144,997 individuals—are Brazilian. Other significant foreign demographics include citizens from Angola, Cape Verde, and Nepal, who collectively represent 24.6% of the international player base.
The growth comes at a sensitive time for the industry in South America. On September 25, the Brazilian government issued a provisional ban on online casinos and sports betting platforms—locally known as “bets”—in a drastic move to curb rising household debt. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has even issued a warning to digital influencers, stating that the government will pursue those who attempt to bypass domestic regulations by promoting gambling platforms based in jurisdictions like Portugal.
A Lucrative but Regulated Market
Portugal’s online gambling sector is experiencing a financial boom. In the first half of 2024 alone, authorized platforms generated €651.9 million in gross revenue. Of that total, €244.6 million came from fixed-odds sports betting.
Currently, Portugal has 17 entities authorized to operate, holding a total of 30 licenses across games of chance, sports betting, and bingo. However, while nearly five million players are registered, active participation is lower; only 1.2 million users actually placed wagers between April and June.
Cracking Down on Illegal Operations
As the market grows, Portuguese regulators are intensifying their efforts to dismantle unlicensed operators. In the first six months of the year, the SRIJ issued 201 notifications to close illegal platforms and ordered internet service providers to block 296 unauthorized websites.
The regulator’s enforcement has also led to criminal action. By the end of June, the SRIJ had filed 20 reports with the Public Prosecutor’s Office for the year. Since the current legal framework for online gambling was established in 2015, authorities have blocked over 3,000 websites and initiated 77 criminal proceedings to protect the integrity of the national market.
Image: Pexels – Ercan Evcimen
