Portugal reports €287m online gambling revenue in Q2 2025

The Portuguese Gaming Regulation and Inspection Service (SRIJ) has published its latest report for the second quarter of 2025, detailing online gambling performance, regulatory enforcement, and trends among licensed and unlicensed operators. The report highlights a robust growth in games of fortune, steady sports betting activity, and sustained measures against unauthorized gambling platforms.

Strong revenue growth in online gambling

According to the SRIJ, gross revenue from licensed online gambling operators reached €287 million ($316 million) in Q2 2025, marking a 9.6% increase compared to the same quarter in 2024. This figure reflects a continuing upward trend in the Portuguese online gambling market, which has expanded significantly since the introduction of the country's Online Gambling and Betting Legal Framework in 2015.

The increase in revenue is complemented by contributions to public finances through taxation. The Special Online Gaming Tax (SOGT) generated €81.2 million during the quarter, underlining the sector's importance to state revenue and its role in funding public initiatives.

Games of fortune dominate the market

The report indicates that games of fortune remain the largest revenue generator among online gambling categories, accounting for 62% of total gross revenue and producing €177.8 million. This represents a 12.2% increase compared to Q2 2024, highlighting strong consumer engagement with casino-style games, particularly slots and traditional banking games.

Within this category, slot machines are the most popular, representing 79.1% of wagers. French banking games contributed 7%, and French roulette accounted for 5.3%. The growth in games of fortune demonstrates not only the sector’s profitability but also the increasing sophistication and variety of offerings available to Portuguese players.

Sports betting maintains steady activity

Sports betting contributed the remaining 38% of gross revenue, generating €109.2 million in Q2 2025. While this figure represents a 5.7% increase compared to the same period last year, it remains 5% below the previous quarter, indicating some seasonal or event-driven fluctuations in betting activity.

Betting volumes for sports totaled €457.3 million, showing a slight decline of 1.1% year-on-year and an 8.9% decrease quarter-on-quarter. Football remains the dominant sport for betting, accounting for 67.7% of all wagers. Tennis followed with 21.8%, while basketball represented 6.5%. These figures reinforce the enduring popularity of football among Portuguese sports bettors.

The prominence of football is further underscored by recent sponsorship activities. Betano, one of the licensed operators, signed as the title sponsor of the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira, demonstrating the close relationship between sports betting operators and the Portuguese football industry.

Betting volume trends highlight diverging patterns

While sports betting volumes experienced a slight decline, games of fortune demonstrated substantial growth in total betting volume. During Q2 2025, the sector recorded €5.04 billion in wagers, representing a 15.4% increase compared to the same period in 2024 and an 8% rise from the previous quarter. This divergence indicates that while sports betting remains important, games of fortune are increasingly driving market expansion in terms of consumer engagement and revenue generation.

The growing interest in games of fortune can be attributed to several factors, including the availability of innovative gaming experiences, mobile-optimized platforms, and a broader range of bonus and reward mechanisms offered by licensed operators.

Player registration and demographics

Player registration continued to grow, reaching 4.87 million accounts by the end of Q2 2025. This represents a 9.9% increase compared to the previous year, with 211,000 new accounts added during the quarter. Despite this growth, active player numbers experienced a slight decline. The number of active players totaled 1.12 million, reflecting a 2.6% year-on-year decrease.

Demographic analysis of registered players reveals that younger age groups dominate the market. Players under 45 years old accounted for 77.8% of all registrations, with the 25–34 age group forming the largest segment at 33.5%. The concentration of players within this age bracket underscores the importance of targeting digital-first, tech-savvy audiences when developing marketing and engagement strategies.

Geographically, the Lisbon and Porto districts represented the highest share of registered players, with 21.7% and 21.1% respectively. Nationality data shows that Portuguese citizens made up 94.6% of all registrations, while Brazilians accounted for 49% of international players. These statistics highlight Portugal’s dual focus on serving local customers while accommodating foreign players within its regulated framework.

Responsible gambling and self-exclusion

SRIJ’s report emphasizes the continued importance of responsible gambling measures. Self-exclusion registrations reached 326,400 during Q2 2025, representing a 27% increase compared to Q2 2024. This increase indicates growing awareness among players of the need to manage gambling activity and the effectiveness of regulatory mechanisms in supporting responsible gaming practices.

The self-exclusion system allows players to voluntarily restrict their access to online gambling platforms for a specified period. By monitoring and encouraging responsible behavior, authorities aim to reduce the social risks associated with problem gambling while maintaining a safe and regulated environment.

Enforcement against illegal operators

Regulatory enforcement remains a central focus of SRIJ, which continues to combat illegal gambling operators actively. In Q2 2025, authorities issued 97 closure notifications to unauthorized operators and blocked 110 illegal websites. These actions contribute to a long-term regulatory strategy that has been in place since 2015.

Since the inception of Portugal’s Online Gambling and Betting Legal Framework, SRIJ has issued a total of 1,522 closure notifications to illegal operators and blocked 2,501 unauthorized websites. Of these, 49 cases have been referred to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, with one such referral occurring during the quarter under review.

These enforcement measures play a critical role in maintaining the integrity of the market, protecting consumers, and safeguarding tax revenues. By actively targeting unlicensed operators, authorities help ensure that licensed platforms remain competitive and compliant with national standards.

The regulatory environment and market outlook

Portugal’s online gambling market continues to evolve within a well-defined legal and regulatory framework. Licensed operators benefit from clear guidelines regarding taxation, responsible gambling, and market participation, while enforcement against illegal activities helps preserve market stability.

Looking forward, the Portuguese online gambling market is likely to continue its growth trajectory. Expansion is expected in games of fortune, particularly through mobile and live gaming offerings. Sports betting will remain significant, driven primarily by football and other high-profile sports events, while responsible gambling initiatives and compliance monitoring will remain central to regulatory priorities.

The SRIJ report also highlights the ongoing collaboration between operators and public authorities to enhance transparency and consumer protection. Such efforts strengthen the credibility of licensed platforms and encourage sustainable growth in the sector.

Conclusion

Portugal’s Q2 2025 online gambling results reflect a thriving industry that combines strong revenue growth, diversified gaming offerings, and rigorous regulatory enforcement. With gross revenue reaching €287 million, games of fortune leading the market, and sports betting maintaining steady activity, the market continues to expand while supporting public finances through taxation.

Enforcement measures against illegal operators remain robust, ensuring the integrity and sustainability of the regulated market. Combined with rising self-exclusion registrations and a focus on responsible gambling, the Portuguese online gambling industry demonstrates a balance between growth, consumer protection, and regulatory compliance.

As the market progresses, operators are likely to continue innovating in games, marketing, and customer engagement, reinforcing Portugal’s position as a mature and well-regulated online gambling jurisdiction.

FAQs

What was Portugal’s total online gambling revenue in Q2 2025?
Total revenue reached €287 million, reflecting a 9.6% increase compared to Q2 2024.

Which gambling category generated the most revenue in Q2 2025?
Games of fortune were the largest contributor, accounting for 62% of total revenue.

How much did the Special Online Gaming Tax contribute to state revenue?
The SOGT generated €81.2 million during the second quarter of 2025.

How many new player accounts were created in Q2 2025?
A total of 211,000 new accounts were registered during the quarter.

Which sports were most popular for online betting in Portugal?
Football led with 67.7% of wagers, followed by tennis at 21.8% and basketball at 6.5%.

What percentage of online players were under 45 years old?
77.8% of registered players were under the age of 45.

How many illegal operators were targeted in Q2 2025?
Authorities issued 97 closure notifications and blocked 110 unauthorized websites.

What is the purpose of self-exclusion in online gambling?
Self-exclusion allows players to voluntarily restrict access to gambling platforms to manage risk and promote responsible gaming.

How many licenses were active in Portugal during Q2 2025?
Seventeen licensed operators held thirty active licenses in the second quarter.

Which regions had the highest concentration of online gambling registrations?
Lisbon and Porto districts recorded the highest share of registrations, with 21.7% and 21.1% respectively.