License Name
Portuguese Online Gambling and Betting Licence (Licença para Jogos e Apostas Online)
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Issuing Country/Region
Portugal
Regulatory Body
Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos (SRIJ)/Comissão de Jogos do Turismo de Portugal
Types of Regulated Games
Online casino games, sports betting, poker, bingo, slots, roulette
Market Coverage
Local (Portugal)
Regulator's Reputation
Good
Legal Entity Requirements
Must be a public limited company; EU/EEA companies allowed if a branch is established in Portugal
Minimum Share Capital
€1,000,000
Directors and Shareholders Requirements
Directors and major shareholders must have a clean record and demonstrate integrity
Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Requirements
Robust AML policies, KYC procedures, transaction monitoring, reporting obligations
Data Protection Requirements
Full GDPR compliance required
Reporting Requirements
Regular financial and operational reports to SRIJ; responsible gaming reports required
Audit Requirements
Periodic independent audits and SRIJ inspections mandatory
Software Certification Requirements
All gaming platforms and systems must be certified by SRIJ-approved auditors
RNG Certification
Mandatory testing and certification of random number generators by approved testing labs
Payment System Requirements
Use of secure, approved payment providers; bank accounts in the EU required
Server Location Requirements
No strict requirement for local servers; compliance with technical standards and access for regulators
Domain Name Requirements
No specific restrictions, but site must be accessible to Portuguese players and have regulatory notices
Language Support Requirements
Portuguese language required on the platform
Currency Support Requirements
EUR mandatory
Legal Compliance Costs
Compliance and legal costs are significant and ongoing, include audits, legal, and certification
Background Checks
Background checks on company directors, shareholders, and key personnel
License Scope Restrictions
Only authorized online games/permitted betting types; cross-border restrictions apply
Jurisdictional Tax Compliance
Operators must comply with local special online gambling taxes (IEJO)
Player Data Storage Requirements
Player data must comply with GDPR; no explicit local data residency rule
Cross-Border Operations
Services limited to Portugal, cross-border operation not permitted under the local license
License Application Transparency
Application requires full disclosure; SRIJ maintains a public list of licensed operators
Regulatory Contact Point
SRIJ office (see Contacts section)
Compliance Officer Requirement
Designation of a compliance/responsible gaming officer mandatory
Local Partnership Requirements
No requirement for local partnership but must have a Portuguese branch if foreign
Legal Dispute Resolution
Disputes may be resolved according to Portuguese law; mechanisms must be in place for player complaints
License Transferability
Not transferable without prior authorization by the regulator
Sub-Licensing Rules
Sub-licensing is not permitted
License Cost
€12,000 for issuance or renewal; €18,000 initial system homologation; additional €2,000 per new game/system homologation
Annual Fees
€12,000 renewal fee every three years; other regulatory costs apply
Income Taxes
Special online gambling tax (IEJO): 8% turnover for sports betting; 25–30% of GGR for casino/bingo; not subject to corporate income tax/stamp duty
Player Winnings Taxes
No withholding tax on player winnings
Financial Guarantees
€500,000 bank guarantee (compliance); €100,000 (special tax obligation)
Liquidity Requirements
Demonstration of financial capacity and minimum capital requirements
Financial Reporting Requirements
Ongoing financial reporting per SRIJ deadlines
Application Processing Time
Typically up to six months for a complete application
Required Documents
Corporate documents, business plan, audited financials, technical documents, responsible gambling policy, AML procedures, background checks
Business Plan Requirements
Comprehensive business plan mandatory
Internal Policy Requirements
Documented AML, KYC, responsible gambling, complaints management, operational policies
Testing Requirements
Thorough technical system testing and certification
Certification Requirements
Certification by independent SRIJ-approved labs required for platforms, software, and RNGs
Staff Qualifications
Key personnel must demonstrate experience, qualification, integrity
Physical Office Requirements
Foreign companies must establish a local branch in Portugal
Local Representative Requirements
Not explicitly required but advisable for regulatory interaction
Marketing Restrictions
Advertising must comply with SRIJ standards and responsible gaming requirements; no misleading ads or targeting minors
Responsible Gaming Measures
Self-exclusion options, deposit limits, prominent responsible gambling information
Self-Exclusion System
Participation in national self-exclusion register mandatory
Age Verification Procedures
Identity verification required before account activation; age limit 18+
KYC Procedures
Mandatory enhanced due diligence and customer identification
Customer Support Standards
Support in Portuguese required; complaint system necessary
Complaint Handling Procedures
Formal system for player complaints; must be reported to regulator as needed
Player Funds Protection
Segregation and protection of player funds against operator insolvency
Payout Timelines
Licensed operators must guarantee timely payouts; specifics regulated by SRIJ
Bonus and Promotion Regulations
Clear and transparent bonus terms; compliance with advertising standards
Permitted Games List
Permitted—casino, sports betting, poker, bingo; prohibited—unlicensed games and those not authorized by SRIJ
Betting Limits
Operator-defined, subject to responsible gaming controls and SRIJ approval
RTP Requirements
Games must comply with RTP values approved by SRIJ
Jackpot Regulations
Progressive jackpots allowed within SRIJ rules; must comply with payout and transparency obligations
Live Game Requirements
Permitted if certified and within legal game list
Mobile App Compliance
Mobile platforms subject to full compliance with SRIJ standards
Affiliate Program Rules
Permitted; must comply with responsible gambling and SRIJ advertising and conduct standards
Security Standards
High technical and IT security standards, regular audits, system certifications
Encryption Requirements
Mandatory SSL/TLS encryption for sensitive data
Backup Requirements
Regular data backup and disaster recovery plans required
Monitoring Systems
Real-time transaction/operation monitoring; remote regulator access required
Operation Logging
Audit trails/logs of transactions and operations kept for regulator review
Anti-Fraud Systems
Anti-fraud and monitoring systems required; suspicious activity reporting mandatory
API Integration Standards
APIs must comply with SRIJ standards for system interoperability
Hosting Requirements
Technical infrastructure must ensure reliability, accessibility, and security for SRIJ inspection
Scalability Requirements
Platforms must be able to scale as required for compliance and service demands
Uptime Requirements
No explicit SRIJ minimum, but high availability required by technical standards
Technical Support Availability
Technical assistance must be available to maintain regulatory and operational compliance
License Duration
3 years, renewable in successive 3-year periods
Renewal Procedure
Renewal must be requested 90 days before license expiration; subject to continued compliance and fee
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Fines from €25,000–€1,000,000 for operators; up to €500,000 for responsible individuals; criminal liability; loss of license
Ownership Change Rules
Ownership or shareholding changes require SRIJ notification and approval
Mergers and Acquisitions Rules
Mergers/acquisitions impacting ownership/control require SRIJ review/approval
Subcontractor Regulations
Outsourcing key services requires SRIJ oversight; third parties must comply with all applicable rules
Branding Requirements
Use of SRIJ regulatory logo not mandated, but legal operator status must be displayed
Intellectual Property Protection
Platform/software must be properly licensed; SRIJ may require supporting documentation
Dispute Arbitration
Complaints resolution mechanism must be offered; recourse to SRIJ and courts available
Insurance Requirements
Not explicitly mandated but financial guarantees required
Charity Contributions
No mandatory charitable donation requirement
Staff Training Requirements
Staff must be trained in compliance, AML, KYC, responsible gambling
Innovation Support
Not expressly provided in legal framework
Sustainability Initiatives
Not mandated in gambling framework
Accessibility Standards
Platform must be accessible for all Portuguese users; no specific disability guidelines found
Multilingual Support
Portuguese compulsory; other languages optional
Cryptocurrency Support
Not currently permitted as a payment method
Esports Betting Regulations
Permitted where expressly licensed by SRIJ
Fantasy Sports Regulations
Not specifically regulated; must comply with general rules if offered for money
Official Address
SRIJ, Turismo de Portugal I.P., Rua Ivone Silva, Lote 6, 1050-124 Lisboa, Portugal
Work Hours
Monday to Friday, 9:00–18:00 (CET)
Departments
Comissão de Jogos (Gambling Commission), SRIJ operational units
FAQ Question 1
What is the Portuguese DPSJ Licence for Online Gaming and Betting?
FAQ Answer 1
The Portuguese DPSJ Licence authorizes operators to provide legal online gambling and betting services in Portugal, including casino games, sports wagering, poker, and other interactive gaming activities. It ensures compliance with Portuguese laws on fair play, player protection, and responsible gambling.
FAQ Question 2
Which jurisdiction issues the Portuguese DPSJ Licence for Online Gaming and Betting?
FAQ Answer 2
This licence is issued by the Comissão de Jogos do Turismo de Portugal through the Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos (SRIJ), which oversees and regulates all gambling activities in Portugal.
FAQ Question 3
What is the cost of obtaining the Portuguese DPSJ Licence for Online Gaming and Betting?
FAQ Answer 3
Application fees vary depending on the type of gambling activity, generally starting from around €18,000. Operators must also pay annual fees and gambling taxes based on gross gaming revenue, with rates varying by game type. Additional costs include compliance audits, system certification, and ongoing regulatory reporting.
FAQ Question 4
What are the main requirements for the Portuguese DPSJ Licence for Online Gaming and Betting?
FAQ Answer 4
Key requirements include establishing a legal entity in Portugal or the EU/EEA, passing background and financial checks, providing a detailed operational plan, implementing certified gaming software and technical systems, ensuring compliance with anti-money laundering laws, offering responsible gambling tools, and submitting regular operational and financial reports to the SRIJ.