SRIJ Portugal Gaming Authority Licensed Online Casinos and information on Portugal Regulatory Body 2023

Overview

The SRIJ Portugal Gaming Authority, which is a part of the Portuguese Tourism Institute, has technical and functional autonomy as well as public authority powers when it comes to the Portuguese land-based and online gambling scene. Offline gambling has been legalized in the country back in 1989. Online gambling sites can also operate legally in the country provided that they are properly licensed by the SRIJ Portugal Gaming Authority. 

The SRIJ is in charge of assuring the regular operation of the study and practice of games of chance on a territorial basis as well as of online gaming and betting. The Portugal Regulatory Body is also tasked with making sure that all licensed offline and online gambling operators conduct their business operations in accordance with local gambling laws and regulations. All the operations of the SRIJ are monitored by the Ministry of the Economy and the Sea. 

Indirect control, regulation, and inspection of the exploratory activities of skill and chance-based games, online games, and betting are directly carried out by the SRIJ. Essentially, the SRIJH monitors:

• Games of Chance
• Games of Skill
• Bingo Games 
• Fixed-Odds Sports Betting
• Horse Race Betting
• Land-Based Gaming

In addition, the SRIJ Portugal Gaming Authority is also responsible for the inspection of all land-based casino games to make sure that all the games deliver fair results and that land-based casinos operate in accordance with local gaming laws and regulations. The SRIJ investigates the operation of local gaming facilities and gaming equipment. The Portugal Regulatory Body is also tasked with making sure all land-based gambling operators take care of their tax obligations promptly.

With this being said, every land-based gaming facility in Portugal, including casinos and bingo halls, has a special Inspection Office. Customers can go to local Inspection Offices to get more information about the gaming equipment or anything else. As previously mentioned, the SRIJ is also responsible for monitoring all the different forms of online gambling and betting activities in the country. 

Even though the logic of geographical proximity does not apply in the case of online gaming and betting, SRIJ inspectors carry out continuous surveillance of all gambling websites offering their services and products to Portuguese residents. These inspectors are in charge of upholding the rules that are in place, namely making sure that the operating entities adopt an Entry and Registration Infrastructure. The SRIJ is also tasked with monitoring and inspecting gaming behavior and submitting research information to the government.

The main gambling regulatory body in Portugal is also tasked with combating illegal gambling practices. In other words, it monitors all gambling activities and collaborates with local police authorities in order to combat illicit gambling practices. The SRIJ also has the power to shut down online gambling operators that offer their services and products illegally. The SRIJ is also tasked with the preparation of new legislative rules, guidelines, and proposals.

Gambling operators that want to apply for a remote gaming license from the SRIJ, need to submit their licensing application via the SRIJ official website. Companies based in the EU or EEA can apply for licensing. International companies can also be granted necessary gambling permits if they fulfill strict licensing requirements. Gambling licenses issued by the SRIJ are valid for three years.