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History of gambling in Portugal
The history of gambling in Portugal is a mirror of the country's political and cultural changes: from early charity lotteries and coastal salon entertainment to the era of large-scale resort casinos and today's digital ecosystem with strict supervision and responsibility to society. The Portuguese model developed in waves - bans were replaced by point legalization, and then by systemic regulation and integration with tourism.
I. Early forms and charity lotteries (XVIII-XIX centuries)
Lottery tradition. In Portugal, lotteries received the status of a social tool early: the proceeds were directed to charity, hospitals and educational projects. This line survived and was constituted later as the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa - the historical operator of state lotteries and social policy.
Salon games and port cities. In coastal centers and trading hubs (Lisbon, Porto, Figueira da Foz), private clubs where cards and roulette were played were popular; power periodically restricted such practices, but demand persisted.
II. The frontier of modernity: resort areas and the first casinos (late XIX - early XX centuries)
Resort as a game scene. The development of seaside resorts - from Cascais to Figueira - created a demand for "European" leisure: boardwalks, thermal resorts, balls and - as part of the package - playhouses.
Zonal logic. The state gradually came to the model of "permitted enclaves" - to control the game, concentrating it in certain locations with a tourist profile.
III. Estado Novo: Control and Birth of Icons (1930s-1970s)
Estoril Casino is a symbol of the era. Located between Lisbon and Cascais, Casino Estoril has become the largest and most famous in the country. During the Second World War, Estoril was a neutral "crossroads" for diplomats, emigrants and intelligence - it was this atmosphere of espionage and elite leisure that entered the cultural annals (often referred to as the inspiration for Casino Royale).
Government oversight. The regime tightly regulated the content and geography of casinos, linking them with the image of "civilized leisure" and income from tourism. Playing outside the permitted zones remained illegal.
Lotteries and sports. In parallel, state lotteries and the first sports sweepstakes were strengthened; receipts were directed to public needs, consolidating the idea of the "social mission" of legal gambling.
IV. After the Carnation Revolution: Normalization and Expansion (since 1974)
Political liberalization. Democratization did not mean "permissiveness," but set the course for transparent rules, competition for concessions and an understandable fiscal model.
Casino card. In addition to Estoril, sites are being developed and modernized in Figueira da Foz, Povua de Varzin, Vilamora (Algarve), Funchal (Madeira), and later in other tourist areas. Casinos become part of urban cultural programs: gastronomy, concerts, festivals, MICE.
Santa Casa and social games. The state lottery and sports pools (including historical football betting formats) consolidate a sustainable model: income - for health care, social support, sports and culture.
V. Culture and mythology of the game
Estoril - "Portuguese Monte Carlo." The image of a cosmopolitan hall, orchestras, chic and diplomatic intrigue is an important part of cultural memory.
Music, film, literature. Nightclubs and casino halls served as venues for variety and jazz; in cinema, "Portuguese night" often includes casino footage, emphasizing the synthesis of tourism, fashion and risk.
Football and betting. The love of football has generated a steady demand for legal pools and modern betting - while Portugal traditionally emphasizes the responsible attitude and protection of youth.
VI. From "land" to online: digital turn (XXI century)
Online regulation. In the 2010s, Portugal introduced a modern legal regime for online gaming and betting, with the national regulator SRIJ (Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos) under the auspices of Turismo de Portugal. Licensing is divided by product, and strict requirements are imposed on operators: KYC/AML, data protection, advertising control and responsible gaming tools.
Sports betting and lotteries "in numbers." Government products (through Santa Casa) and licensed private online operators coexist within an understandable framework. Advertising is limited in tone and audience, with an emphasis on RG and transparency.
Tourism + figure. Terrestrial casinos strengthen the "non-gaming" component (restaurant scene, shows, exhibitions), and online provides year-round involvement with strict supervision.
VII. Responsible play as part of DNA
18 +, verification, limits. Portuguese policy emphasizes age and personality checks, deposit/time limits, "reality checks," self-exclusion tools, and access to assistance.
Advertising under control. No heroization of winnings, no promises of "easy money," mandatory warnings and restrictions on appeals to a youth audience.
Fiscal and social mission. Tax revenues and earmarks are an important glue between industry and society.
VIII. key milestones and locations (at a glance)
Lisbon and the Cascais-Estoril line. Icon of the Portuguese gambling scene and center of cultural events.
Figueira da Foz, Póvoa de Varzim. Traditional Atlantic resorts with a history of lounges and evening programs.
Algarve (Vilamora) and Madeira (Funchal). Tourist destinations with a strong seasonal flow and a developed guest/event agenda.
Santa Casa (lotteries) and sports pools. The social "core" of the system, providing public benefit from the legal game.
SRIJ and online mode. Modern licenses, audit of game providers, payment control and transparent rules.
IX. Importance to the country's economy and image
Tourist multiplier. Casinos and related shows/restaurant projects extend tourist stays and increase evening spending.
Jobs and supply chains. From croupiers and artists to logistics and local wine and gastronomy producers.
Image of safe and civilized leisure. Strict regulation and a responsible approach form trust - an important asset for a country with a powerful tourist brand.
The history of gambling in Portugal is the path from monastery lotteries and resort salons to a modern, carefully regulated land + online ecosystem. National symbols like Casino Estoril, Santa Casa's social role and SRIJ's strict oversight have created a Portuguese model where excitement is linked to culture, tourism and responsibility. That is why Portugal is perceived not as a "country of risks," but as a country of rules - and this formula ensures the sustainability of the industry in the long run.