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PayPal in Portuguese Casinos
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This page is for players in Portugal who want to use PayPal, a global eWallet, for deposits and withdrawals in euros at online casinos. Portugal regulates online casino games through the SRIJ, so you should choose licensed operators; PayPal is accepted by some of them, though acceptance varies by casino. Below we cover Portugal's rules, how PayPal works, and the steps for setting it up and using it.
Online Gambling Regulation in Portugal
The Portuguese are well-known gamblers who have enjoyed casino games for over a century. The land-based gambling industry in Portugal was legalized way back in 1916. Ever since, it has only been growing at a steady pace. Get out on the streets and you’ll notice well-established casinos and betting shops left and right; all of these are operating legally, abiding by the Legal Regime for the Operation of Games of Chance in Casinos.
When gambling went online, the first online vertical that Portugal legalized was the online lottery. This happened in 2000, but as with many other countries, Portugal chose to have it monopolized. The Portuguese National Lottery is at players’ disposal, both online and offline. As far as online casino gambling goes, drumrolls: it is legal, as well! With the Regime Jurídico dos Jogos e Apostas – Decree-Law No. 66/2015, Portugal legalized online casino gambling in 2015. Players from the country were already playing across offshore casino sites, and were not prosecuted or punished for that; neither were operators, nor were their sites blocked. The authorities wanted to do something about that, and that’s why they decided to legalize online casinos and properly tax operators who wanted to cater to Portuguese players.
Since 2015, there has been urgent action against operators that target the market without a licence. Only operators that pay taxes and follow the rules set by the government are allowed to offer online casino gambling to Portuguese players, and internet service providers block offshore, unlicensed sites. Reports say half the nation bets regularly, so the licensed market is sizeable.
The authorities target unlicensed operators, which is why they are blocked. Players are advised against unlicensed sites and encouraged to join licensed online casinos, because unlicensed sites offer none of the protections that licensed operators have to provide. The authorities do everything in their power to stop illegal gambling, and that’s why you won’t find as many offshore sites as you may have thought you would.
Nevertheless, you will have a good range of options across the licensed sites that you can access. Table games, slots, Live Casino games and online poker are just some types of games that you can get access to, delivered by some of the best providers in the world, developers like Evolution, Games Global, Relax Gaming and Playtech, to mention a few, although the selection depends on the operator.
A good choice of payment methods should be available at licensed sites. Sites that cater to Portuguese players provide local solutions, but also international methods. One of the best-known international methods is the eWallet PayPal. With it you pay from your PayPal account, in euros, rather than typing card details at the casino. PayPal approves gambling merchants one by one, so check the cashier of the casino to confirm that it accepts PayPal. Keep reading to find out more.
Using PayPal Across Portuguese Online Casinos
PayPal is a payment method you will see listed at some online casinos that accept Portuguese players, but not all, since PayPal approves gambling merchants one by one. It has been around since 1998. Portugal is among the countries where PayPal accounts can be opened.
PayPal originates from the USA and is offered in many currencies. It introduced digital currencies in 2020 for some markets, so check the PayPal site to see whether crypto services are available to you in Portugal; they are a separate matter from paying a casino.
One thing that makes it popular with players is its attention to regulations and rules. PayPal follows online gambling rules in the markets where it operates, and that's why it may leave markets, re-enter them, or restrict how accounts can be funded. In countries where credit card gambling is forbidden, PayPal has stopped allowing users to fund their eWallet accounts using credit cards for gambling, for instance. In practice, this means PayPal is mainly accepted by operators that are licensed in regulated markets, so using it is another reason to pick a licensed site.
To get started with it as a Portuguese player, you will need to visit its official website and head over to the account selection page. Here, press Conta Pessoal (Personal Account) and then Criar conta gratuita (Create your free account). You will be asked to select Portugal as your country of residence, and then you'll need to provide your email address. Next, you’ll be asked to provide your mobile phone number and verify your identity. For this, you will need a copy of a government-issued identification document. As soon as you’re done with these steps, you can continue by funding your eWallet account. For this, you can use credit or debit cards, or bank wire transfer, in euros.
Once your account is topped up, you can try PayPal at Portuguese online casinos that accept it. The steps below explain how to make deposits and withdrawals.
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Deposits and Withdrawals with PayPal
PayPal is listed as an accepted payment method at some Portuguese online casinos, not all of them. The first thing to do is check a few sites that hold a Portuguese licence and make a list of the ones you would like to join, then confirm each offers PayPal.
After you find the one online casino that ticks all your boxes, and you decide to register an account with it, all you have to do is enter the basic personal info in the appointed fields. As soon as your account is ready, to fund it with PayPal, do the following:
PayPal can be used for withdrawals at casinos that offer it, so it can work both ways. Check the Withdrawals section of the cashier before you rely on it; some casinos accept it for deposits only.
The procedure is pretty similar to the depositing one, actually. All you have to do is visit the Banking/Cashier page again, this time heading over to the Withdrawals section right after. Find PayPal on the list of accepted methods, select it, and then add the amount you wish to cash out. Now, bear in mind that as soon as the operator receives your request, they will take time to check it out to see whether you can cash out as much as you requested. Assuming you did, you will get the approval in a few minutes or up to 48 hours, depending on the operator’s withdrawal processing times policy. From here, PayPal will make sure your winnings arrive safely to your eWallet account, for you to continue using it as it suits you.
Conclusion
Portuguese players have local payment methods to use for their deposits and withdrawals, and PayPal is an alternative where a licensed casino accepts it. It allows transactions in euros, and timing for deposits and withdrawals depends on the casino. Check the casino's cashier page first, and set a budget before you deposit.
FAQs
Can I use PayPal at online casinos in Portugal?
At some licensed casinos. PayPal says approved gambling merchants may operate only where gambling is legal, so not every casino offers it. Check the cashier before you register.
Who regulates online casinos in Portugal?
The SRIJ, the Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos, regulates online casino games under Decree-Law No. 66/2015. Choose operators it has licensed.
Can I withdraw casino winnings to PayPal?
Only where the casino offers PayPal as a withdrawal method. Check the Withdrawals tab, and the casino's stated processing times, which can run from minutes to 48 hours.
Which currency does PayPal use for casino deposits in Portugal?
You can pay in euros. The currency of the payment is set by the casino, and if it differs from your PayPal currency, conversion charges may apply.
Other ways to pay in Portugal
We also review this payment method for players in Portugal: MB WAY.
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