I tested SRIJ casinos throughout 2026 and at the same time analysed dozens of sites that accept Portuguese players without any national licence. The conclusion is clear: identifying an illegal casino in Portugal is easy once you know where to look. This guide shows the red flags I spot within seconds, how to verify an SRIJ licence in three minutes, and what to do if you’ve already deposited at an unauthorised operator. In 2026, only 17 operators are legally authorised to operate in the country.
Why illegal casinos appear in Portugal
The Portuguese online gambling market has been regulated since 2015 by Decree-Law No. 66/2015, with exclusive licences issued by SRIJ. Despite this, dozens of international casinos with Curaçao, Anjouan or Malta licences continue to accept registrations from Portuguese players, even knowing they operate illegally on Portuguese soil. The reasons are economic.
- the Portuguese market has strong purchasing power and a deep online gambling culture;
- SRIJ licences impose heavy requirements (KYC, taxes, EU servers) that offshore operators prefer to bypass;
- enforcement is active but does not prevent access to blocked sites via VPN;
- Portuguese-language SEO continues to promote illegal brands through affiliate sites based abroad.
These operators use Portuguese interfaces, accept MB WAY and Multibanco, and promote attractive bonuses. To the unwary player, they look legitimate. They are not.
Red flags to spot an illegal casino
After analysing dozens of suspicious sites, I identified seven red flags that appear in almost every illegal casino operating in Portugal in 2026.
- no SRIJ licence number displayed in the site footer (No. 001 to No. 026);
- accepts deposits in cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, USDT, Ethereum) — prohibited by SRIJ;
- unrealistic welcome bonuses: 500% up to €5,000, 200 free spins with no deposit;
- Portuguese translation with grammar mistakes or Brazilian expressions («cassino», «Bônus», «caça-níqueis»);
- recent domain (under 2 years old) with hidden WHOIS history;
- no mention of the National Data Protection Commission (CNPD) or SICAD for responsible gambling;
- no way to reach support via a Portuguese phone number (+351).
A single flag is already enough to be suspicious. Two or more confirm that the operator is illegal in Portugal.
How to verify an SRIJ licence in three minutes
Official verification is free, instant and done on the regulator’s website. It’s the only reliable method.
- open srij.turismodeportugal.pt in your browser;
- in the «Licensed Operators» section, check the table with the 17 active operators in 2026;
- search by operator name or licence number;
- if the operator is on the list, it is legal in Portugal;
- if it is not, don’t deposit: the operator is not authorised to accept Portuguese players.
Alternatively, in the footer of any legal casino you’ll find the SRIJ licence number. Betano holds licences No. 017 and No. 018, Solverde No. 010 and No. 024, Betclic No. 001 and No. 004. If the footer only shows «Licensed in Curaçao» or «Licensed by Anjouan», the operator is illegal in Portugal, regardless of the foreign licence.
What happens if you deposit at an illegal casino
When a Portuguese player deposits in crypto or in euros at a casino without an SRIJ licence, they enter an uncertain legal regime. The contract between player and operator is not recognised by Portuguese law. The practical consequences are significant.
- deposits are not protected by any state guarantee;
- the player cannot appeal to SRIJ or the CNPD in case of dispute;
- winnings may be classified as capital income, taxable at up to 28%;
- the operator can freeze the account at any moment, with no obligation to return funds;
- access to the site can be cut at any time by SRIJ order to Portuguese ISPs.
If you have already deposited at an illegal casino and want to recover funds, contact SRIJ ([email protected]) and file a complaint. Recovery is not guaranteed, but the complaint contributes to sector oversight.
ISP blocks: how SRIJ shuts down illegal sites
SRIJ maintains a public list of sites blocked for operating in Portugal without a licence. The list is updated monthly and sent to Portuguese internet providers (MEO, NOS, Vodafone), who are required to block access to those domains.
In practice, if you try to access an illegal casino, the browser returns a DNS or server-unavailable error. Some players bypass the block via VPN, but this does not legitimise the operator: it remains illegal in Portugal, with all the practical consequences described above. In 2026, the SRIJ list of blocked sites contains more than 400 active domains.
My opinion on illegal casinos in Portugal
After analysing dozens of suspicious sites throughout 2026, my practical rule is simple: before depositing, always verify the SRIJ licence at srij.turismodeportugal.pt. It takes three minutes and prevents losses of hundreds of euros. If a casino is not on the official list, don’t deposit — even if the interface is in Portuguese, accepts MB WAY, and promises generous bonuses. The 17 active SRIJ operators offer everything a player needs: low rollover, fast withdrawals, and full legal protection. There is no practical advantage in playing at an illegal operator.
Last updated: 2026.