Portugal's online gambling revenue reached a record €261.8 million in the second quarter, marking the eighth consecutive quarter of growth, with a 27.2% increase compared to the second quarter of 2023.
Despite strong online performance, the country's physical casinos saw a decline in table game revenues.
Online casino games were the main contributors, generating €158.5 million in revenue in the second quarter, up 29.9% year-over-year, but slightly lower than the first quarter. Players wagered €4.37 billion on online casino games, with slot machines accounting for 82.3% of total spending. Sports betting revenue also increased, up 23.1% year-over-year to €103.3 million. However, despite the impact of the 2024 European Championship starting at the end of the quarter, overall sports betting spending was down 19.5% from the first quarter.
The online market saw a surge in activity, with 287,600 new customer registrations, but also 136,800 accounts were closed. Additionally, 47,300 players opted for self-exclusion, bringing the total number of self-excluded players to 256,900 by the end of June. The regulatory body SRIJ also took action against illegal operations, shutting down 38 unauthorized sites.
In contrast, Portugal's physical gambling industry struggled, with total revenues falling 4.5% to €63.7 million in the second quarter. Slot machine revenues, which accounted for 78.4% of income, saw a slight increase to €50 million, while revenues from other casino games like baccarat, blackjack, and American roulette declined by 19.9%.
