Gambling in Portugal dates back to 1783. This is the year that the charity lottery was launched, which went on to become the 'National Lottery'. In 1904, the first Portuguese gambling establishment was formed. However, the progress of the Portuguese betting and casino industry was stopped in its tracks, with political changes in the country seeing gambling laws fall by the wayside. For many years, gambling in Portugal was deemed illegal. It wasn't until 1961 where that changed when the first moves towards a regulated gambling market were made. This came when a charitable organisation, Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa (SCML), was issued autonomy over the coordination and control of betting in Portugal.

The implementation of Degree Law No. 66/2015 resulted in the adoption of the Legal Regime for Online Betting and Gambling (known as "RJO") in 2015. This is the body that now manages online betting activities and licences in the country.

Since 2015, gambling services and techniques have progressed, seeing Portugal emerge as one of the biggest gambling powerhouses in Europe. Changes to legislation saw brands from outside of Portugal able to offer betting services to Portuguese players. This was a result of the pressure mounting on the Portuguese betting industry from the European Union. With foreign operators as well as Portuguese brands in operation, players are spoilt for choice when it comes to placing online bets!

Here at betting.bet, we provide Portuguese bettors with a complete overview of their online betting options. Over the years, betting.bet has built a strong network of operators, providing our users with access to the latest betting sportsbooks and promotions available in Portugal. Whether you are looking to create an account with an established brand or are seeking new betting sites, betting.bet will have the information you need to make informed decisions about your online betting activities.

Each online betting site will take its own approach when devising the list of betting options it provides. This is why taking some time to compare sportsbooks is a wise move, especially if you have a particular market or event that you wish to bet on.

In Portugal, bettors have a great selection of markets and bet types to choose from. While the offering varies from one betting site to the next, the majority of operators will list the following sports:

Football, horse racing, greyhounds, basketball, tennis, American football, boxing, rugby, darts, golf, cricket, ice hockey, baseball, cycling, snooker, volleyball, handball, virtual sports, motorsports and winter sports.

We are starting to see an increase in the number of betting sites listing eSports markets. The most popular eSports bets commonly surround CS:GO, Dota 2, Call of Duty, Overwatch, Free Fire and Rainbow 6 tournaments. As an emerging online betting market in Portugal, players can often find juicy promotions to spend on eSports bets, especially with top brands such as Betway, Betano, BWin and BetClic.

If you are on the search for a new online betting site then you will want to know exactly what types of bets you can place. Where most betting sites will have a section dedicated to 'bet types', some will not. Below, we look at the most commonly offered bet types on Portuguese sportsbooks, explaining what each type of selection involves.

• Single Bet: Single bets are bets that are placed on one selection in one single event. These are the most commonly placed bets in Portugal due to their straightforward nature.
• Each-way: Each-way bets are used mostly on horse racing betting selections. An each-way bet will see a player bet on a horse to win a race. The player will 'win' the bet if their chosen horse finishes within a certain number of places specified by the bookmaker.
• Accumulator: Accumulator bets, or acca bets as they are commonly known, incorporate a variety of selections, all of which have to be correct for the bet to be a winning bet. For instance, if you predicted the end result of 5 different games, all predictions will need to be accurate for the bet to be paid out on. Accas are most commonly utilised on football betting markets. However, accas can be placed across various sports. Most Portuguese betting sites will offer players the option to build multi-sport accumulators, incorporating predictions on different events and sports into one bet. 
• Trixie: A Trixie bet is a bet that incorporates four bets involving three selections in separate events. These bets will need to be 3x double bets and 1x treble bets.
• Patent: A Patent bet is another bet type that Portuguese players can take advantage of. A Patent incorporates seven bets involving three selections in separate events.

While the above are the most popular bet types, Portuguese players can also place a variety of other bet types. These include Yankee, Lucky 15, Canadian and Lucky 31 bets.

Portuguese betting sites are generally integrated with a variety of tools and features. These are usually designed to help players save more or gain access to a larger selection of betting opportunities. Here are the most commonly-featured tools on Portuguese online betting sites.

• Mobile Betting: Having the option to bet via your mobile is important, allowing you to bet while on the go and in a way that is most convenient. For this reason, Portuguese online betting brands have started to embrace mobile technology. Now, 90% of the online betting operators in Portugal are 'responsive', meaning they can be used seamlessly on mobile computing devices.
• Live Betting: In-play betting, or live betting, gives players the opportunity to bet while the action is taking place. Live betting is understandably one of the most sought-after online betting features, with live betting odds varying hugely from one betting site to another.
• Cash Out: Cash Out gives payers the ability to retract from a live bet and take a partial win/loss rather than waiting for an event to conclude.
• Bet Builder: A Bet Builder tool permits bettors to build their own bets and get the odds they are looking for instantly. Players can then build accumulators within a single match from a variety of betting markets.

From new players just starting out on their betting journey to professionals with decades of experience under their belts, whatever type of bettor you are, a promotion will help you to limit the risk you face of losing your own money. Many Portuguese bookmakers will use promotions as a way to stand out, luring customers in with generous offers. Here are the types of betting promotions you can expect to see when signing up:

• Free Bets: Free bets are free tokens to use when placing bets. They essentially give players a way to bet without facing the risk of losing money. Free bets, like any type of promotion, are presented in many different ways, with different free bets carrying different levels of risk and reward. The best free bet variations are no deposit free bets, deposit free bets, matched free bets, event-focused free bets, loyalty free bets and friend referral free bets.
• Accumulator Insurance Deals: Accumulator betting is increasingly popular in Portugal. This is likely due to the big wins that these bet types can generate. Due to the fact that there is great risk involved in accumulator betting, many sportsbooks offer insurance deals. This gives players security, allowing them to make X amount of mistakes and still win the bet.
• Loyalty Rewards: The more loyalty a player shows towards their betting site, the more rewards coming their way. Loyalty rewards can be anything from free bets to prizes such as holidays!
• Refer a Friend Bonuses: The majority of online sportsbooks will offer a friend referral program, giving players bonuses for recommending the betting site to others.

Yes, online betting is 100% legal in Portugal.

The best sportsbook will be dictated by your gambling style and preferences. In our opinion, the best Portuguese sportsbooks are the ones that provide safe yet fun-filled online betting experiences.

Portuguese citizens will need to be 21 years old or older to engage in online betting activities in Portugal. Wondering how a sports betting site will know whether or not you are of the legal age? Most Portuguese sportsbooks will conduct various identity checks before allowing a player to deposit/bet.

Creating a new online betting account is a straightforward process that can be completed in minutes. Although each bookmaker will have its own sign-up process, they are generally similar with regards to the information required from the player. To create an account, you will need to share details such as your name, address, contact details and so on.

You will be able to bet in-play when using online betting sites in Portugal. 9 out of 10 betting operators offer this gambling facility. These include brands such as Betway, Moosh, Betano and BWin.

Yes. Here at betting.bet, we are actively helping Portuguese online bettors, signposting them to the best online betting sites and offers available to them.

The best betting promotions are the ones that do not require the player to part with any money, specifically no deposit free bets.

No. All winnings made from online betting activities in Portugal are tax-exempt.

Yes. As long as you are betting with licenced and regulated betting providers, you are safe. All legal online betting sites will have safe gambling support services that you can use should you feel your gambling is getting out of hand.

Each Portugal betting site will have its own policies surrounding betting limits. These will be made evident to you in the site's terms and conditions.

Betway is one of the best online betting sites you will find. As well as having decades of experience to boast, Betway is also a sportsbook that knows how to treat its customers. From the amazing responsible gambling tools to the generous bonuses available daily, new and established players are well and truly catered for. Sign up today to claim new player free bets amongst many other perks!

Moosh is an online betting site that launched back in 2020 and is owned by Caravel Entertainment Limited. Betting markets available via the Moosh website are wonderfully varied. These include football, tennis, basketball, ice hockey, handball, baseball, cycling, cricket, golf, MMA, rugby league, rugby union, volleyball and beach volleyball. As well as new player offers such as deposit bonuses, Moosh also looks to accommodate players looking at placing accas and multiples. Players interested in these bet types can access all types of bonuses and unique promotions from the point of registration!

With more than 25 sports markets available to bet on and a whole set of promotions featured, it is easy to see why Betano is one of the most popular operators in Portugal. While a heavy focus is placed on football betting markets, those interested in betting on basketball, NBA and even futsal can also find what they are looking for. On the subject of betting promotions, Betano is a favoured betting brand, with new customers enjoying a wealth of offers. Existing players are far from neglected, with ongoing promotion keeping players engaged and happy!

Placard is the perfect online betting brand for those that enjoy placing bets on mobile devices. With a new and intuitive mobile application, players with all types of interests can bet on the go with ease. The Placard app is free to download and incredibly user-friendly, making it the perfect tool for those new to the world of online betting. Wondering what types of bets can be placed with Placard? Currently, players can bet on markets such as football, baseball, MMA, tennis, basketball, motorsports, rugby and much more!

If you are looking for a concise sportsbook that rewards loyal players, then Casino Portugal is a platform worth some serious consideration. Although the thought of as an online casino site first, the brand's sports betting facility is second to none. With a good range of markets and bet types available, players are never left wanting more when betting with Casino Portugal. Create a new betting account now and claim a bonus to kickstart your betting adventure.

Solverde has been operating in Portugal since 2017. Coming under the Solverde Group, this brand is part of an established network. As a result, players feel safe when betting here. What's more, the gambling brand is regulated by the Gaming Regulation and Inspection Service (SRIJ), meaning it follows strict guidelines surrounding safe and responsible gambling.

Estoril Sol Casinos is part of the esteemed Estoril Group, which is a Portuguese entertainment brand. The online betting arm of the business has been credited for its progressive nature. From the immense range of betting markets to the competitive new player offers, this betting site ticks many boxes for many Portuguese bettors.

From its sleek interface to its futuristic design, BWin is a modern sportsbook that has stamped its name in the Portuguese online betting industry. With some of the biggest bonuses in the country, paired with the unique tools and features, BWin is deserving of its growing community of bettors. The brand is currently offering a sizeable new player offer, making now a great time to create a new account!

Betclic is a reputable bookmaker with lots to offer both betting novices and pros. The make-up of the site is also pretty commendable, with the design and layout making it straightforward to navigate. With more than €500 in bonuses available, Betclic is excellent for those looking to limit their deposits.