Portugal’s SRIJ launches national gambling ban system
Portugal’s Gaming Regulation and Inspection Service (SRIJ) has rolled out a centralised online self-exclusion portal for gambling, effective 9 April. The initiative strengthens player protection by enabling individuals, or third parties acting on their behalf, to suspend or cancel access to all licenced online gaming and betting platforms nationwide.
Grounded in Law No. 66/2015, which governs online betting and gaming, the new portal operates under Turismo de Portugal. Licensed operators are legally required to enforce exclusion requests across all platforms, closing potential loopholes. Self-exclusion periods are fixed-term, with a minimum of three months, and may be indefinite unless the user requests reinstatement.
This new portal only applies to gambling operators licenced in the country. It does not automatically block access to offshore or unlicenced sites. This means cross-border enforcement remains limited and depends on cooperation with other jurisdictions, according to media reports.
Streamlined, mobile-friendly access
The system consolidates previously fragmented processes into a single, intuitive interface optimised for mobile devices. As more players access gambling services on smartphones and tablets, SRIJ designed the portal to be quick and user-friendly. Requests can be submitted directly by individuals, family members, or legal representatives, and once processed, bans apply across all licenced operators, thus reducing the risk of circumvention.
O @SRIJogos disponibiliza nova plataforma de autoexclusão do jogo online e reforça compromisso com a proteção dos jogadores. Saiba mais em: https://t.co/2wCymtF5vm #autoexclusao #jogoonline #jogoresponsavel#sosjogador
— SRIJ (@SRIJogos) April 8, 2026
Encouraging broader uptake
SRJ strives to prioritise mobile accessibility as it boosts adoption among vulnerable users. The country’s regulator perceives this new portal as a critical move towards responsible gambling and as less severe than in Portugal’s growing digital gaming sector.
Insights from the European Gambling Association have shed light that 0.5–1 per cent of Portuguese adults may suffer from gambling disorder, a number consistent with EU averages. Self-exclusion is complemented by counselling and addiction treatment programmes, though coverage varies regionally.
Market context
Data revealed that in Q3 2025, the country’s gross digital gaming revenue reached €297.1 million ($346.5 million), the second-highest quarterly figure on record, which coincided with the launch of the new system, as reported by several media outlets.
However, this is not the same for land-based casinos. Its earnings dipped 4.6 per cent year-on-year, emphasising the shift towards digital platforms, as revealed by law firm Chambers and Partners.
Global trends in self-exclusion
Portugal’s move aligns with a broader international trend toward centralised self-exclusion systems. In countries like Brazil, it introduced its national platform in December 2025 and required operators to offer self-exclusion while allowing bettors to block registration across all licenced sites.
Additionally, Russia launched its own system in September 2025, with industry support. Players cannot cancel their ban within the first 12 months, ensuring stronger safeguards. Meanwhile, the UK’s GamStop, the national register, noted a 40 per cent increase in sign-ups among the 16-24 age group in the first half of 2025. It provides an auto-renewal feature that effectively creates lifetime blocks unless the users decide to sign out.
Moreover, Germany’s OASIS system recorded nearly 350,000 registrations in its first four years, reflecting rising demand for exclusion measures.
Portugal’s centralised portal not only strengthens consumer protection but also positions the country alongside peers that adopt comprehensive, harder-to-bypass nationwide exclusion systems. This balances the country’s growing online gambling revenues with responsible gaming measures.
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