During the third quarter of 2024, the sector experienced a 23.7 percent year-over-year growth in revenue.
Portugal.- Online gaming revenues continue to rise in Portugal, after an eighth consecutive quarter of growth during the third quarter of 2024. Revenues recorded a year-over-year increase of 23.7 percent and a sequential increase of 1.7 percent to EUR 266.3m.
The growth continues to be driven by the online casino segment. According to the national regulator of the sector, the Regulation and Inspection Service of Games (SRIJ), online casino revenues increased by 10.5 percent to EUR 175.1m, this represents a 31.2 percent year-over-year increase. Online casino player spending increased by 33.7 percent year-over-year to reach a record figure of EUR 4.870m.
Slot games accounted for 80.4 percent of the bets, far ahead of French roulette (6.1 percent), the Portuguese dice game "French bank" (5.5 percent), and blackjack (4.5 percent).
In contrast, online sports betting generated revenues of EUR 91.2m, an 11.4 percent year-over-year increase, but a 11.7 percent decrease compared to the second quarter of last year. Player spending reached EUR 483.4m, and football accounted for 72.7 percent of the bets, ahead of tennis (21.2 percent).
Participation in gambling reached 4.5 million in the third quarter, a 16.9 percent year-over-year increase. There were 269,800 new registrations, 117,400 players closed their accounts, and the number of self-excluded players reached 276,200, representing a 40.5 percent increase. In terms of age groups, those aged 25 to 34 were once again the most active, but the highest proportion of new sign-ups occurred in the 18 to 24 age group (30.9 percent).
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The SRIJ stated that it issued 47 orders against gambling websites operating in violation of regulations.
In the physical gaming sector of Portugal, gross revenues slightly decreased in the third quarter, falling by 0.3 percent year-over-year to EUR 75.9m. The figure increased by 19.1 percent compared to the second quarter. Slot machines generated EUR 56.1m, a 2 percent decrease year-over-year, while casino and bingo games generated EUR 19.9m, an increase of 4.9 percent.
