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Portugal opens consultation on proposed updates to online gaming and sports betting rules

Draft amendments cover technical standards for online gaming machines and fixed-odds sports betting, with stakeholder feedback invited through February.

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Key Points
Portugal’s Gaming Commission has approved draft amendments to two core online gambling regulations
Proposed changes relate to online gaming machines and fixed-odds sports betting
A 20-working-day public consultation period opens on 27 January

Portugal’s gambling regulator has approved draft amendments to two key regulatory frameworks governing online casino games and sports betting, formally opening a public consultation process for industry stakeholders.

The Gaming Regulation and Inspection Service (SRIJ), operating under Turismo de Portugal, confirmed that the Gaming Commission approved the draft amendments during deliberations held on 19 December 2025 and 2 January 2026. 

The proposals relate to Regulation No 828/2015, which sets out technical and operational rules for online gaming machines and Regulation No 903-A/2015, which governs fixed-odds sports betting offered online.

Both regulations form part of Portugal’s core iGaming framework, which has been in place since the market opened to licensed online operators in 2015. 

While the regulator has not detailed the specific technical changes within the draft texts, the amendments are expected to address execution standards, implementation requirements and operational clarity across both verticals.

Under the consultation process, interested parties have 20 working days from 27 January 2026, to submit comments or suggestions. 

Contributions must be sent to the regulator via the designated email address. The consultation period is intended to gather feedback from licensed operators, suppliers and other stakeholders before the amendments are finalised and formally adopted.

The move reflects continued regulatory activity in Portugal’s online gambling sector, where authorities have emphasised strict compliance with licensing and operational rules. 

The SRIJ has repeatedly stated that updates to the regulatory framework are designed to strengthen oversight, align technical standards with market developments and ensure player protection objectives are met.

Portugal’s online gambling market includes licensed online casino games, sports betting and horse racing, while several betting categories remain prohibited under national law, including political wagering.

Earlier this month, the SRIJ ordered prediction market platform Polymarket to cease operations in Portugal after more than €100m ($116m) was wagered on the country’s presidential election. Political betting is explicitly banned under Portuguese law, and the platform was blocked for operating without a local license.

Good to know

Portugal reported €297.1m in iGaming revenue during the third quarter, highlighting the continued scale of its regulated online gambling market

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