Casinos in Portugal: discover the best online bonuses and promotions

Online casinos are one of the biggest entertainment industries in the world. Promoting moments of relaxation and fun, always with novelties, the public is looking for this kind of excitement. In the case of Portugal, this market has been around for a few years and continues to be one of the biggest attractions, both inside and outside casino establishments. In today's article, find out a little more about the best bonuses and what online promotions you can find in casinos in Portugal, as well as what legislation is currently in force.

The difference between land-based and online casinos

You might think that casinos are a recent invention, with the internet age; but in reality, the first casino appeared in the 17th century in Venice, Italy. This form of entertainment drew crowds to the popular casino houses all over the world, including in Portugal. To this day, casinos are a popular tourist attraction. For example, in the case of Portugal, the casino in Funchal, Madeira, or even the Lisbon Casino are points of interest for those who come from outside (and inside, too) to visit these houses which, as well as gambling, are eye-catching for their design and luxurious structure.

The main difference between a physical casino and an online casino is flexibility. On the one hand, and as we've already seen, traditional casinos offer a space in a given location in which gambling takes place all around. On the other hand, online casinos offer this luxury more quickly and easily - it's wherever you want it to be, as long as you have access to a mobile device. What's more, the number of games on offer at online casinos in Portugal dramatically exceeds the number of games on offer at land-based casinos. Always looking for the latest update, players can access new game forms and themes every day.

The different bonuses offered at digital casinos

In order to keep up with the latest trends, online casinos have to update themselves on a regular basis. It's therefore common for them to offer different bonuses and promotions for different reasons. In general, find out what the most common bonuses are at casinos in Portugal and how you can get them:

• Welcome bonus - this is the most popular bonus offered by casinos all over the world, including in Portugal. This type of promotion is usually offered to new players who are registering for the first time at a new casino. The casino usually offers a share of the value of the money deposited in the new account. The aim is for the player to try out more of the casino's games and/or features.
• Loyalty bonuses - designed for players who are more loyal to the casino. They can be offered in the form of money deposited into the casino account to play, or through free spins on certain games.
• No deposit bonus - the pinnacle of online casino promotions. No deposit bonuses are not very regular offers from online casinos. Like welcome bonuses, this type of bonus aims to promote a particular game through free spins or other offers.

These are some of the most popular casino promotions today. However, new promotions appear every day. We suggest that before accepting any bonus, you read the requirements carefully to ensure that you always play safely.

What legislation is in force in Portugal

Speaking of safety, what is the current legal framework for gambling in Portugal? Land-based casinos in Portugal are permitted under Decree-Law no. 422/89, made in 1927. In the areas delimited by this decree, the practice of this type of gambling is permitted without sanctions. Despite this legal imposition, and with the high growth of this market around the world, the practice is still seen as unsafe. Therefore, there are certain principles that SRIJ (Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos), the competent authority responsible for regularising this activity, upholds. For example, on 13 March it attended the Sports Betting Integrity conference, organised by Malta's gambling regulator, which aims to promote an ethical and corruption-free gambling market. This type of project demonstrates the Portuguese authority's commitment to accompanying the growth of this entertainment market while always promoting its safe and responsible practice.

Find out how to choose a safe and legal casino in Portugal with these tips

After reading how player-safety orientated the Portuguese authorities are, now find out with these valuable tips how you can choose a safe and legal place to start playing:

1. Firstly, start by making sure you're playing in a casino that is safe and involves security methods such as encryption on payment methods and also privacy of your data;
2. Next, check the online casino's licence. This can usually be found on the "About Us" page or in the footer of the website. Having a licence is proof of the casino's security and legitimacy.
3. Finally, check the online casino's reputation. Go to social media or a public review page and see what other players say about the site you want to play on. Of course, not all opinions are valuable, but you can always learn a little more about what to avoid or even what to do.

With these three simple steps you're sure to have a smooth and profitable gaming experience.