Online Sports Betting in Portugal – Ultimate Guide

Better Odds

With lower overhead costs, international sites can offer much better odds than their Portuguese counterparts. That means bigger payouts when you win, and a better chance of turning a profit over the long run.

Bigger Bonus Offers

For the same reasons that they can offer more competitive odds, foreign sites also have the ability to provide bigger bonuses to their players. That not only means more lucrative welcome bonuses, but also more free bets, ongoing promotions, and special offers than Portuguese sites.

More Betting Options

While regulated sites can offer betting on a wide range of different sports, they are still subject to the approval of the SRIJ, which can choose to prohibit some types of bets or some obscure markets. On the other hand, any foreign sites have more freedom to experiment with non-traditional options, or lesser-known competitions that aren’t approved for betting by the SRIJ.

While the Portuguese government only approves of sites that are licensed by the SRIJ, many players in Portugal continue to bet on unlicensed sites from other countries. Players are not prosecuted for betting with these foreign operators.

Multibanco

Multibanco is a network of 27 Portuguese banks that offer shared ATMs, internet banking, and online payments. This makes Multibanco a secure and trusted option for making deposits at betting sites in Portugal. This option is widely accepted at Portuguese sites and is available at many overseas sites as well. Even if you don’t see a specific Multibanco option on a site, you may be able to use you card as a Visa or MasterCard and still use it to deposit into your account.

Skrill

Skrill is one of the most popular e-wallet platforms in the world. You can fund a Skrill account using a wide variety of different methods, then use that account to make deposits, process withdrawals, or simply hold funds for later use. Most of our recommended betting sites accept Skrill deposits, making this an ideal way to manage your money if you plan to move funds between multiple accounts.

Credit/Debit Cards

Credit and debit cards are some of the most flexible ways to make deposits at Portuguese betting sites. Using a card is as simple as making an online shopping purchase: just provide your card information and the amount you wish to deposit, and your funds will be transferred in moments. Visa and MasterCard are the most widely accepted credit and debit card brands, though some sites also provide other options like Discover and American Express.

Paysafecard

Paysafecard is a prepaid system that can be used for deposits at many betting sites. You can purchase a voucher at a local retail outlet or online, then use the funds stored on that voucher to make your deposit. This makes the paysafecard an ideal option for those who don’t want to share their financial information with online betting sites, or those who don’t have access to options like a credit card or bank transfer.

Football

Football is the most popular sport in Portugal and the biggest source of revenue for sports betting sites operating in the country. Naturally, you can bet on Portugal’s domestic league – the Primeira Liga – with many sites offering odds on lower division games as well.

But the options go far beyond that. You can bet on major and minor domestic leagues throughout Europe, South America, and across the globe. Betting sites also offer markets on international competitions like the European Championship and the World Cup, and club tournaments such as the Champions League and Europa League.

Basketball

Basketball has grown in popularity internationally, to the point where it nearly rivals football worldwide. While Portugal may not be a basketball powerhouse, the sport enjoys a strong following, and the Portuguese national team has qualified for EuroBasket three times.

Portuguese betting sites offer betting on a number of the top basketball leagues worldwide. That includes the NBA, but also the EuroLeague, with some sites dipping into major European domestic leagues as well. You can also bet on international competition at the FIBA World Championships, Olympics, and EuroBasket.

Futsal

Similar to football, futsal is a five-on-five competition played on a small, hard court where improvisation and creativity are at a premium. Many betting sites offer markets on major futsal competitions such as the European Championships and the FIFA Futsal World Cup. Some Portuguese sites may also offer betting on the Campeonato Nacional, the top division of futsal in Portugal, or the UEFA Futsal Champions League.

Rink Hockey

Rink hockey (also known as roller hockey) is a five-on-five sport with similarities to ice hockey. However, this version of the sport is played on a hard court, with players wearing roller skates during play.

Portugal has won 16 world championships in rink hockey, along with 21 European titles. Portuguese sites often offer rink hockey betting on major international competitions, and some of the largest domestic leagues like Spain’s OK Liga and Portugal’s First Division.