Serviço De Regulação E Inspeção De Jogos (SRIJ)

Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos (SRIJ)

In line with Decree-Law No. 66/2015 of April 29, which established the Legal Regime for Online Gaming and Betting (RJO), the SRIJ is responsible for regulating and overseeing both land-based and online gambling operations in Portugal.

As part of the Portuguese Tourism Institute, the SRIJ works to maintain a safe, transparent gambling environment for players while combating illegal gambling and unethical practices. The regulator is also dedicated to protecting minors and vulnerable individuals, and will implement changes or improvements to operators’ practices when needed to ensure the protection of players’ rights.

Verify Operators

The SRIJ keeps an updated list of licensed operators on its website, allowing players to verify whether an operator is authorized to provide services in Portugal. Each listed brand includes its website, the types of services offered, and the licenses it holds. Additionally, all licensed websites must have a URL that ends in “.pt.”

Compaint Submission Process

Players can contact the authority directly, but if they have a complaint about a specific casino, they must first raise the issue with that operator. To do this, players should follow the complaint process outlined on the casino’s website. Complaints related to payments, transactions, player verification, technical issues, or terms and conditions should be submitted through this process.

Players are also encouraged to carefully review the terms and conditions and provide all relevant details when filing a complaint, including screenshots or other supporting evidence to help explain the issue.

Measures to Protect Players

The SRIJ requires that all licensed casinos implement several measures to protect players. At a minimum, each casino must offer options to set deposit and wager limits, as well as the ability for players to take a break from gambling.

The regulator’s website provides extensive information and resources on responsible gambling. It also collaborated with the Higher Institute of Statistics and Information Management – NOVA Information Management School (NOVA IMS/UNL) on a research project aimed at identifying addiction patterns in online gambling. Additionally, a comprehensive guide to responsible gambling is available for download.

Players experiencing gambling issues can request self-exclusion from all online casinos licensed by the SRIJ through a dedicated Self-Exclusion Platform. Exclusions can be set for a minimum of three months or indefinitely. Players can also request exclusion directly through a specific casino’s website, but this will only apply to that casino.

Note: The process for self-exclusion from land-based gambling operations in Portugal is separate. To request exclusion, players must do so in person at the SRIJ offices, or submit a request in writing or by email.

In partnership with the Institute for Addictive Behaviors and Addictions (ICAD), the SRIJ provides support to players through a confidential counseling service focused on addictive behaviors, particularly gambling addiction. The ‘Linha 1414’ is available from 10am to 6pm on working days and offers free, anonymous assistance. Players can reach the service by calling 1414 or by email