Europe · PT
Portugal
Online gambling and betting in Portugal are licensed by SRIJ; Banco de Portugal and the CMVM supervise payments, e-money and investment services.
At a glance
- Status
- EU member state
- Region
- Europe
- Regulated sectors
- GamingPaymentsCryptoInvestment
- Authorities
- SRIJ · Banco de Portugal · CMVM
- Licensing routes
- 4
- See also
- EU / MiCA
Overview
The framework
Portugal operates a licensing regime for online gambling and betting, administered by the gaming regulation and inspection service (SRIJ) of Turismo de Portugal. Licences are granted by product category, such as online casino games and sports betting.
Banco de Portugal authorises payment and e-money institutions, and the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM) supervises investment services and markets. Crypto-asset services fall under MiCA. We prepare and manage applications to each authority.
Authorities
Who regulates what
- Gaming Regulation and Inspection Service (SRIJ)
- Licensing and supervision of online gambling and betting.
- Banco de Portugal
- Banks, payment and e-money institutions.
- Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM)
- Investment services, markets and securities.
Regimes
Licensing routes
Online gambling and betting licences
SRIJ licences by product category, such as online casino games and sports betting.
Sectors: Gaming
Payment / e-money institution
Authorisation by Banco de Portugal, passportable across the EEA.
Sectors: Payments
Investment firm
Authorisation for investment services under MiFID II.
Sectors: Investment
Crypto-asset services (MiCA)
Crypto-asset services under MiCA.
Sectors: Crypto
Our Regulatory & Licensing practice prepares the applications for these routes and manages them through to the regulator's decision.
Considerations
What to weigh up
- Gambling licences are product-specific; plan the licence set around the offer.
- Financial licences benefit from EU passporting; gambling licences do not.
This overview is general information, summarised at a high level. Requirements change and depend on the specific activity; seek advice on your circumstances before acting.
Industries
Relevant industries
- iGaming & GamingB2C operators, B2B suppliers, platforms, aggregators and affiliates.
- Fintech & PaymentsPayment and e-money institutions, PSPs and acquirers, payment facilitators and embedded finance.
- Crypto & Digital AssetsCASPs and VASPs, exchanges, custodians, wallets, token projects and crypto payments.
- Forex & InvestmentsForex and CFD brokers, investment firms, trading and investment platforms.
Across jurisdictions
Cross-jurisdiction capabilities
Services we support across the jurisdictions in our directory, described once on their own pages. We deliver each to the requirements that apply locally, coordinating local specialists where local law, registration, representation or professional requirements require it.
- Privacy & Data ProtectionExternal DPO services and working privacy programmes: GDPR and global privacy laws, DPIAs, data mapping, transfers and ISO/IEC 27701.
- Information Security & CybersecurityFractional CISO support, ISMS and security programmes, certification and audit readiness, DORA, NIS2 and customer assurance for enterprise sales.
- AI GovernanceGovernance that lets AI adoption scale: EU AI Act readiness, ISO/IEC 42001 management systems, AI risk and impact assessments, and vendor risk.
- AML & Financial Crime ComplianceAML/CFT programmes, MLRO-as-a-Service, independent AML/CFT audits, risk assessments, monitoring, sanctions and inspection support.
- IP Registration & ProtectionTrademark and patent registration, copyright, domain disputes and enforcement that protect your brand, software and content across markets.
- Legal OpinionsRegulatory, business model, perimeter, payment, gaming, crypto-asset and cross-border opinions that answer what banks and investors ask.
- Bank Account OpeningHelp organising your banking with banks and EMIs that fit your model, from the onboarding file and account structure to periodic reviews.
- Merchant Account / Acquiring SetupMerchant applications, acquiring structure and negotiated terms for online and high-risk merchants that need stable card and local payment acceptance.
Support
Portugal: how we support your business
- Regulatory & LicensingStrategy, applications and regulator engagement for the gaming, payments, crypto and investment routes listed above.
- Corporate StructuringGroup architecture, incorporation, substance and governance built around your licences, banking and investors.
- Market Entry & Regulatory StrategyMarket prioritisation, regulatory roadmaps and launch readiness that let you expand into new jurisdictions in the right order.
- Information Security & CybersecurityDORA, NIS2 and the information security obligations that apply under EU law.
Portugal: the right fit for your business?
We look at your product, target clients and banking needs to see whether this jurisdiction fits or another would serve you better, then send a written proposal with scope, timetable and fee.