Portugal’s gambling regulator has approved amendments to the Gambling Act, introducing new slot features and expanding the legal framework for sports betting. If adopted, the changes will take effect shortly after official publication. The amendments will align Portugal’s gambling market with those in other EU nations.
Portugal Approves New Rules for Online Slots and Fixed-odds Betting: Keynotes from the Story
- Portugal’s gambling regulator, SRIJ, has cleared draft amendments to its online gambling framework covering both casino games and sports betting. The proposal allows new slot mechanics and formally regulates features already used by some operators.
- For online slots, the changes would permit buy bonus and bet boost features under strict limits on stake size, frequency, and player confirmation. The regulator said these updates do not represent a substantial change to the existing legal framework.
- In sports betting, the amendments introduce formal rules for bet builder and cash-out options while clarifying how odds, voided bets, and settlements are handled. The updated rules are expected to take effect the day after publication in the Official Gazette.
New Online Slot Rules Open Door to New Game Mechanics
Under the proposed amendments to Regulation No. 828/2015, the Gaming Commission of Turismo de Portugal plans to formally allow “buy bonus” and “bet boost” mechanics for online slot machines. These features are already used in other European markets but have not been expressly regulated in Portugal.
The regulator stated that the updates reflect market practice rather than a major policy shift. The revised rules define “buy bonus” as a feature that lets players purchase direct access to a bonus round at the start of a game or during play, regardless of the outcome of a spin.
The price of a bonus purchase may not exceed four times the minimum stake or four times the selected stake, and it may only be used twice per gaming session. Each use must be confirmed by the player. The draft amendment follows months of preparation and multiple rounds of debate among Portuguese lawmakers.
The second approved feature, “bet boost”, allows players to increase their stake in exchange for a higher chance of winning or higher multipliers. Under the proposal, the increased stake may not exceed 50% of the base bet and can only apply to wagers capped at €10. The feature may be used for up to four consecutive spins per session, with a clear display and player confirmation required each time.
Sports Betting Framework Expanded for Modern Features
SRIJ noted that the amendments do not represent a substantial modification of the existing online gambling and betting framework. As a result, the changes were not notified under the EU’s technical standards directive. The updated regulation is expected to enter into force the day after it is published in the official gazette.
A separate draft amendment updates Regulation No. 903-A/2015, which governs online fixed-odds sports betting, to formally include features already offered by some licensed operators. One key change is the inclusion of personalised bets, also known as bet builders, which allow players to combine related predictions within one event or across multiple events.
The rules clarify how odds are calculated and how winnings are determined for these bets. It defines cash-out as an optional feature, allowing players to settle part or all of a bet before the final result for a reduced return. The regulator further clarified when bets must be voided and confirmed that odds become binding the moment a bet is accepted.
For combined, multiple and personalised bets, any voided selection will be settled at odds of 1.00. Portugal has a flourishing online gambling industry that is currently expanding exponentially. On the other hand, land-based gambling revenue has taken a slight hit.
The updated sports betting rules and slot amendments will encourage players to participate in regulated gambling activities. Together, the proposed changes aim to align Portugal’s gambling framework with current market practices in the EU. All eyes are now on the formal publication in the official gazette.