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The Portugal betting market has been regulated since 2015. You'll find many bookmakers that operate in the country, offering various features and promotions. But it’s important to consider some factors when choosing the best option. You have to choose the sites that operate legally and have some important features for a top betting experience.
Luckily, our team at BetZillion has identified some of the leading bookmakers in Portugal. This guide also contains all you need to know about betting in the country. Keep reading to get the full details.
Full List of Portugal Betting Sites
Portugal regulated its online betting market in 2015; however, only a dozen bookmakers operate legally in the country with a local gambling license. Moreover, some of the biggest sportsbooks, such as Betfair and Bwin, decided to exit the market due to the high gambling tax imposed on the licenses.
Technically, there aren't many legal bookmakers in Portugal, outside of a few local brands and international sportsbooks, who decided to keep a license. Still, punters can access any sportsbook, including 22Bet, 20Bet, Leon Bet, Estrela Bet, Betandyou, Bet 7, PremierBet, Bet Solar, Pin-Up Bet, and more.
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Variety of odds
Most bookmakers have a .PT website; however, they're not operating legally as a local authority does not license them. Other options, such as SkyBet and Betfair (betting exchange), exited the market entirely and are not legal nor accessible to local punters.
It might make it seem like there aren't many sportsbooks in the country. However, this is not the case. Many established and new sports betting sites in Portugal will offer their services to local punters. Even though they're not licensed, Portuguese punters can still sign up for an account, log in, and bet without any fear of legal prosecution, as there is no legislative piece that acts as a deterrent and that would make using non-licensed bookmakers illegal.
BetOnline
BetOnline is one of the biggest betting brands in the world and a huge name in the betting world. It offers excellent betting odds and has generous market coverage, rivaling all accessible Portuguese sportsbooks.
XBet
XBet is a BetOnline clone, offering the same competitive betting odds, generous market coverage, and a wide selection of online casino games. It's a safe sportsbook and one of the top sports gambling sites.
BC.Game
BC.Game is a crypto casino and sportsbook established in 2018. Despite being one of the youngest names in the betting world, BC.Game has made a name for itself as one of the top choices for crypto gambling, but it's also one of the most popular Portuguese betting sites.
Even though BC.Game focuses mainly on crypto gambling. It also has a solid offer of betting markets and bonuses, which sports bettors can use.
Jackbit
Jackbit is similar to BC.Game as it's a crypto casino and sportsbook with the main focus on offering online casino games. Yet, while Jackbit does a fine job with its crypto casino offer, it is also an excellent choice for online sports betting.
The bookie covers all major sports and leagues and many more niche and minor competitions, ensuring a solid sports betting experience. Moreover, with its bonuses, Jackbit is one of the best free betting sites in Portugal, especially for those who prefer betting with crypto.
Vave
Vave is a popular sportsbook, online casino, and one of the more popular options among Portuguese bettors. It offers competitive betting odds and a wide selection of markets, ensuring an enjoyable experience.
While its main selling point is the online casino offer, Vave has proven itself a solid choice for anyone looking for a safe betting site with generous betting promotions, bonuses, and all the features you'd like to see in a reliable sportsbook.
The Criteria for Finding the Best Online Bookmakers in Portugal
Portugal is home to numerous betting sites. While the selection of bookies is large enough for anyone to find a betting platform that suits them, there are a few criteria we have to follow to recognize the top betting sites in Portugal.
| Criteria | Explanation |
|---|---|
| ❕ Security | Above all, checking whether the sportsbook is legal and safe before signing up with an account is important. It primarily means checking whether it has a valid betting license and doesn't necessarily have to be a local Portuguese license. |
| ❕ Reputation | A licensed bookmaker can be safe, but it doesn't mean it's a good choice if it has a bad reputation. Sportsbooks can have a poor reputation due to slow payouts, poor bonuses, or strict promotion requirements, which should all be considered. |
| ❕ Features | The bookie comes with many tools and features, from changing the odds format to tools that help with responsible gambling, mobile apps, live streaming, and more. And most of the best online sports betting sites in Portugal will check that mark. |
| ❕ Betting odds | One of the most important criteria for finding the best sportsbooks is the betting odds. All bettors should consider signing up with sportsbooks with the best offer, but preferably with more than one sportsbook for the option to place sure bets, i.e., matched betting or to start arbitrage betting. |
| ❕ Good market coverage | As important as quality odds, solid market coverage ensures that bettors can place bets on a wide range of sports. But more importantly, the bookmaker has enough betting markets to allow for more than spread betting. |
Popular Bonuses & Promotions for Portuguese Bettors
Bonuses, free bets, and other betting promotions are, as of 2024, considered mandatory for any sportsbook. Although primarily offered to attract new bettors, bonuses also offer much value to punters, who can find them on nearly all sportsbooks, including local brands such as Real Deal Bet in Portugal.
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While betting bonuses and promotions are easy to find, it's important to differentiate between the main types, which are somewhat similar but also vastly varied – largely when comparing their terms and conditions.
Deposit Bonuses
Deposit bonuses are some of the most common promotions and include a wide range of offers – all tied directly with the punter's deposit with a sportsbook. The most common deposit bonus is a matched deposit bonus, where the sportsbook matches (doubles) the bettor's deposit and awards free wagering cash.
All Portuguese bookies will have some form of deposit bonuses available, including reload and welcome proposals, two of the most common.
Welcome Offers
The welcome offers are promotions sportsbooks offer to new bettors, primarily to attract new customers. The welcome bonus can come in many shapes and sizes depending on the sportsbook.
These promotions will always come with some requirements, mainly as a rollover requirement. So read the terms and conditions of the bet sites from Portugal before claiming the bonus.
Free Bets
Free bets are some of the most straightforward promotions found on sportsbooks. As the name suggests, these bonuses award free money to wager with and can be offered as a part of other promotions.
Some bookies provide free bets as a part of the welcome bonus, but more commonly, they are given to existing users at random intervals. The size of the free bet will vary and is often tied directly to the bettor's average bet with the sportsbook.
Those who regularly wager with €20 per wager can expect a €20 free bet bonus, which rarely comes with big restrictions. Free bets can be used on any market, although in most cases, Portuguese bookies will set the minimum odds at which the free bet can be used.
Cashback
Cashback bonuses are a type of loyalty reward where the sportsbook credits the bettor a percentage of their losses on bets. The percentage will vary depending on the offer, but it's often set at between 0.5% to 30%.
VIP Offers
VIP offers are one of the least common yet most useful promotions on sports betting sites and work on a loyalty system where the most loyal and active bettors gain the most.
The more you bet with a sportsbook with a VIP system, the higher tier you reach and the better rewards you can receive. The rewards can vary from free bets, cashback, reload bonuses, faster withdrawals, or higher limits. The quality of VIP offers will vary from one sportsbook to another, but they're generally accepted as the best sports betting bonuses in Portugal.
The Most Popular Sports Markets in Portugal
Sports are a big part of Portugal, especially basketball, cycling, cricket, football, and futsal. And unsurprisingly, the most popular sports also make up the biggest betting handle in the country.
However, while some sports are far more popular than others among Spanish bettors, the local bookies cover even some less-popular sports. It ensures that regardless of the punters' preference, they can bet on any sport they desire.
That is, as long as we sign up with bookmakers with solid market coverage, mainly international sportsbooks such as GG.Bet, BetTilt, TitanBet, 21bet, Coral bet, Elephant Bet. Yet even those who sign up with cricket betting sites in Portugal will have access to other markets.
How to Choose the Best Bookmakers in Portugal
Since so many bookmakers operate in Portugal, it can be challenging to decide on which to use. And while it's always better to sign up with multiple sportsbooks, it's also important to know how to recognize the best ones.
Here are some key criteria to check when picking the right betting site.
- Security & reputation – Using only licensed, safe, and reputable sportsbooks is critical, as this is the only way to ensure your money and personal information will be safe. Besides checking if the betting site has a valid gambling license, it's also wise to check online reviews and other people's opinions on the bookmaker.
- Bonuses & promotions – Although not as important as quality betting odds, looking for sportsbooks with the best free bet offers in Portugal is beneficial since any promotion can offer a lot of value.
- Odds & markets – Good market coverage and competitive betting odds are key features of all good bookmakers, as it make it possible to bet with fair prices and on any sport/league a bettor wants.
- Functionality – Functional and optimized mobile websites are a must, especially for those betting on in-play markets. It's important to use bookmakers that offer platforms that work without issues or delays.
- Customer support – Often overlooked, but no less important. Even though most punters won't need to contact customer support, it is highly advantageous to use sportsbooks with a quality customer support department that can help you resolve any issues quickly and efficiently.
Popular Deposit & Withdrawal Methods
All Portuguese bookies offer a plethora of payment options, ensuring that punters don't struggle to find the method they prefer. Like elsewhere, E-wallets are very popular as they allow for anonymous money transfers and are typically available on all online bookmakers.
Crypto payments are close behind as a payment solution that is gaining traction in the online betting world. On the other hand, prepaid cards are slowly going out of fashion.
Yet, while there are many payment solutions punters can use to fund their betting accounts, the most common deposit method among Portuguese bettors is Maltibanco.
Maltibanco
All of the best betting sites in Portugal will have Maltibanco as one of the available payment options. That is because Maltibanco is the most popular payment solution among Portuguese bettors.
It's an interbank payment system that allows instant bank transfer deposits on all local sportsbooks without any additional fee. However, while Maltibanco is very popular for making deposits, it can't be used for withdrawals.
Mobile Betting Sites & Betting Apps in Portugal
Even in Portugal, mobile betting is very popular, mainly due to its convenience. And since it is very popular, it's not shocking that there are many betting apps that work in Portugal.
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Most bookmakers will have only mobile websites that can offer a mobile betting experience, assuming they're well-optimized. Still, bettors should prefer using sportsbooks with dedicated apps, which have more features, are more convenient, and work better. It is one of the big reasons Bet365 is one of the best sportsbooks in the country.
Live Betting & Live Streaming Options
In Portugal, bet markets include pre-match and live betting options. While there are fewer live markets, the offer is still good enough to provide an enjoyable live betting experience.
Live betting is an alternative way to bet on sport, allowing punters to put their knowledge to the test by making split-second decisions when placing in-play bets. It explains why live betting is so popular and why many sportsbooks offer it.
Still, for the best live betting experience, it's wise to use bookmakers that offer live markets and live streaming, such as Bet365 and 22bet.
Odds Format in Portugal
Three main types of odds formats – decimal, fractional, and American – are typically associated with different parts of the world. The American odds format (+100) is mostly used in Canada and the USA, fractional (1/1) in the UK and Ireland, whereas the decimal format (2.00) is widely used across Europe.
Since Portugal is a European country, bettors primarily use the decimal odds format. However, even those who prefer another format have the option to change how the odds show since, in Portugal, betting sites all have a setting that allows changing the format.
How Do You Bet on Sports in Portugal Online?
With so many bookmakers operating in Portugal, it's very easy to find a platform and start betting, and there are just a few steps aspiring punters have to take to enter the world of online gambling.
- Find a bookmaker
- Visit the home page and sign up for an account
- Provide the asked details, including full name, date of birth, account name, password, and email address
- Finalize the registration through a verification link
- Check for any welcome bonuses
- Sign into your account and make a deposit
- Start betting
It's important to note that some bookmakers won't ask you to complete the Know Your Customer verification when you sign up for an account. However, KYC is needed to request withdrawals, so completing it as soon as possible is wise, especially since it can take several days.
Online Betting in Portugal: The Law Framework
In 2015, Portugal introduced Decree-Law No. 66, the Legal Regime of Online Gambling and Betting (RJO), as the main regulatory law that oversees online betting in the country. The RJO was amended three times, each becoming more liberal and accepting of international sportsbooks.
As of 2024, the Comissão de Jogos is the main regulatory body that issues local gambling licenses, and it has, over the years, handed them to several international sportsbooks. However, due to the high taxes, most bigger brands, including Sky Bet, haven't applied for the Portuguese gambling license.
Like in other countries with similar situations, punters can access unlicensed bookmakers as long as they’re of gambling age (18 years)
Gambling Commission & Licence
Comissão de Jogos is the primary body that issues local gambling licenses in Portugal, working alongside Serviço de Regulação Inspeção de Jogos (SRIJ).
While the country has, over the years, become more accepting of international bookies, few decided to apply for a license. It is due to the high taxes imposed by the Portuguese government.
As of 2024, Portugal's main licensed betting sites include Betclic.pt, bet.pt, Solverde.pt, Estorilsolcasinos.pt, Betway.pt, Moosh.pt, Luckia.pt, Placard.pt, Nossaaposta.pt, Betano.pt, and Casinoportugal.pt. And while these are the only legal options, Portuguese punters can easily access any unlicensed sportsbook without fear of prosecution.
History & Future of Online Betting in Portugal
For most of its history, Portugal monopolized the betting industry. 2003 Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa (SCML) extended its monopoly over the online sports betting world with the introduction of Legislative Decree 282 in 2003.
Since then, local authorities blocked any international non-licensed bookmaker who accepted Portuguese punters. Things took a turn for the better in 2015. The Portuguese government took a more liberal approach and decided to start issuing licenses to international betting sites.
In 2015, the Legal Regime of Online Gambling and Betting (RJO) was established and is the main regulatory act for all online betting activities in the county. RJO has since amended three times, making the Portuguese online betting market more accessible to international sportsbooks who can now get a local betting license.
Portugal Overview
Before we conclude our article on the best betting sites in Portugal, here are some interesting facts about the betting world and sports in the country.
- Lisbon is Portugal's capital and largest city, followed by Snitra, Vila Nova de Gaia, and Porto.
- Portuguese is the official language of Portugal; however, Mirandese, Barranquenho, and Minderico are also widely spoken.
- The official and most popular currency for online deposits among Portuguese bettors is the Euro. Of late, crypto deposits have also been gaining in popularity.
- Portugal's most popular payment methods are Maltibanco, Skrill, Neteller, and crypto payments.
- Portugal's most popular and legal online bookmakers include Betclic, Solverde, Betway, Solisbet, Betano, and Moosh.
- The most popular sports in Portugal are football, futsal, basketball, and tennis.
- Some of the biggest sports competitions in Portugal are Liga Portugal, Liga Portuguesa de Basquetebol, and Campeonato Nacional da I Divisão de Futsal.
- The most successful and popular sports teams from Portugal are SL Benfica, Sporting CP, and Benfica.
- Portugal is home to some of the biggest sports stars in the world, including Christiano Ronaldo, Rosa Mota, Jose Mourinho, Carla Sacramento, Riu Costa, and Telma Monteiro.
- Portugal has won five Olympic gold medals to date.
- All 5 of Portugal's Olympic gold medals were won in athletics.
- Portugal has many traditional sports, including Jogo da Emboca, Jogo da Galhofa and Cabra Cega.
Bottom Line
This roundup covers everything there is to know about sports betting in Portugal and where to find the best Portuguese betting sites. Equipped with that knowledge, you're now ready to sign up with top Portuguese betting platforms and start betting – but remember to practice responsible betting and never bet with more than you can afford to lose.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Is gambling legal in Portugal?Gambling and sports betting are legal in Portugal and have been for decades. While there is a local authority that issues local gambling licenses, many of the top sportsbooks without licenses still accept Portuguese bettors.
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What betting apps work in Portugal?Working betting apps in Portugal include all apps provided by sportsbooks that are either licensed to operate in the country or accept Portuguese players. The latter example includes Bet365, which isn't licensed but will accept Portuguese players who can use its betting app.
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How to bet in Portugal?Sports betting is legal in Portugal, which makes it easily accessible to anyone. Sign up with a sportsbook that accepts Portuguese players, make a deposit, and you're set to start betting.
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What are the best betting sites in Portugal?Some of the best betting sites in Portugal include Bet365, 22Bet, and Ivibet. There are other great alternatives; however, the three sportsbooks remain the most popular in the country.
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Is live betting possible in Portugal?Yes, live betting is possible in Portugal on most online betting sites. One of the best options for line betting is bet365, which covers many sports with live markets and live streaming options.
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Is Bet365 available in Portugal?Yes, Bet365 is available in Portugal and is one of the most popular sportsbooks in the country. Bet365 doesn't own a local betting license but is still accessible and accepts Portuguese punters.
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Can I use Sky Bet in Portugal?SkyBet is only available in the UK and Ireland due to license restrictions. It doesn't own a Portuguese license; hence, it's not a legal sportsbook.
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Is Leon Bet legal in Portugal?No, Leon Bet doesn't have a license to operate in Portugal, and while it's still accessible to Portuguese gamblers, Leon Bet is not a legal sportsbook in the country.
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Is 20bet legal in Portugal?20bet is a popular sportsbook in Portugal and has a Portuguese website, making it one of the go-to sportsbooks for Portuguese punters.
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Is 10bet legal in Portugal?10bet doesn't operate in Portugal or most other European countries, the USA, or most South American countries. Moreover, 10bet doesn't own a local betting license. Hence, it's not a legal sportsbook in Portugal.
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