Casino gambling is vital in Portugal for multiple reasons. As the country relies on tourism revenue, and playing at casinos is popular with many visitors to Portugal, regardless of where they’re from, you can see why it has played an integral role so far, and its importance continues to grow.
It’s though up until 2019, the gambling sector, which includes casinos, made up for half a per cent of the tourism income stream. And, following moves by the government to change online gambling laws, there is expected to be growth in this area. Something online sites will play an essential role in achieving.
It was five years ago in 2015 when the Portuguese government approved changes where online casino gaming is concerned. For the first time, operators from outside of the country could offer their services to punters, creating a much bigger market and increasing demand tenfold.
The great news is Portugal is a country which embraces gambling. Many will describe it as -gambling-friendly, which is fitting, but the government are sensible at the same time. Online casinos which offer punter the chance to play slots, for example, must be approved by the authorities before they can open their virtual doors to customers.
Many will suggest the reason why the government are okay with online casino gaming taking place is because of the tax they charge operators offering their services to players in the country. They re-invest this money into sectors such as tourism, which in turn increases revenue and raises the profile of Portugal.
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FAQs
Yes, it is legal to visit and play at online in Portugal. However, any platform a punter intends on playing at must have the approval from the relevant authorities. So, it’s always a good idea to check the status of the operator first.
There are an array of banking options available to punters if they’re gambling in Portugal. They can, of course, use credit and debit cards, which remain the most popular, and arguably the safest way to make deposits. E-wallets are an option too, primarily because of their quick processing speeds, while cryptocurrencies are on the rise.
The legal gambling age in Portugal, like most other countries, is eighteen. Until 1987, to gamble in Portugal punters had to be 21. It’s thought the legal gambling age changed to encourage tourism. Some land-based premises welcome locals aged twenty-five and over but will allow tourists to play if they’re eighteen.
Casino sites in Portugal are safe, as they must receive the seal of the approval from the government in the form of a license to operate. They all make use of the latest technology too, employing state-of-the-art security measures to keep players, and their personal and financial details, safe at all times.