Gambling Boom in Portugal: Half the Population Engages in Regular Betting
Monday 16 de December 2024 / 12:00
⏱ 1 min read
(Lisbon).- Over 50% of the Portuguese citizens engage in regular gambling activities, as reported by psychologists and psychiatrists. This amounts to over 5 million people.
In Portugal, a country with a population of 10 million, more than half of the citizens regularly engage in gambling. This data was presented by Portuguese psychologists and psychiatrists on public television RTP.
Experts highlight the growing addiction to various forms of gambling, including online betting, casinos, and the popular lottery game EuroMillions.
Professor Pedro Morgado from the psychiatry department at the University of Minho in Braga explained that there is also significant popularity for gambling games, which can be purchased in kiosks. In Portugal alone, more than 30,000 people regularly play the scratch card game known as Raspadinha.
Increase in addictions during the pandemic
Studies indicate that addiction to gambling, particularly online, intensified during the coronavirus pandemic. The Portuguese spend over 26 million pounds daily on games. An increasing number of people are requesting to block their participation in online games due to financial difficulties. In 2019, fewer than 50,000 individuals sought such measures, and by 2024, this number had risen to over 215,000.
Every day, at least one compulsive gambler contacts the Portuguese helpline, seeking support in battling addiction. This phenomenon is concerning and requires greater attention from society and authorities.
Categoría:Analysis
Tags: Sin tags
País: Portugal
Región: EMEA
Event
SiGMA North America 2026
01 de September 2026
LatAm Regulators Discussed Illegal Gambling and Innovation at SiGMA North America
(Mexico City, SoloAzar Exclusive).- The panel "The Red Pen Forum: Regulators Respond to the Industry," held during SiGMA North America 2026, brought together representatives from Uruguay, Argentina, Puerto Rico, and Honduras to analyze regulatory challenges, digital transformation, illegal gambling, and the need to adapt lotteries for new generations. The conference was moderated by Rodrigo Cigliutti, Executive Director of CIBELAE (Ibero-American Corporation of State Lotteries and Betting), and featured the participation of Marcelo Visconti, National Director of Lotteries and Quinielas of Uruguay; Carlos Moyano, President of IAFAS Entre Ríos, Argentina; Heidi Hernández Olivo, Deputy Secretary of the Puerto Rico Lottery; and Lissa Mencía, General Director of Lottery Operations and Games at Loto Honduras.
Monday 28 Sep 2026 / 12:00
SiGMA North America Addressed Crisis Management in iGaming
(Mexico, SoloAzar Exclusive).- During SiGMA North America 2026, Rosa Ochoa, founder of the Blue Global Gaming platform and strategic advisor for gaming operators; Iliana María Pineda Echeverri, Chief Legal & Compliance Officer at Wplay.co; Iraid Rosales, Country Manager Mexico at Amusnet; and Elizabeth Maya Cano, Executive President of CORNAZAR, analyzed the key factors in managing crisis situations within the iGaming industry, with a special focus on transparency, communication, technology, and preparation.
Friday 25 Sep 2026 / 12:00
Affiliates and Acquisition: Keys to Regulated Markets in North America
(Mexico City, SoloAzar Exclusive).- During SiGMA North America 2026, Cristopher Guzmán Reyes, Head of Affiliates at Logrand Entertainment Group; Guga Júnior, influencer and slots expert at Scalar Partners; Andrés Gómez, Head of Latin America Go-to-Market Strategy at Admattic; Yambot Aguilera, Gaming and Finance Sales Director at Google; and Paula Gabriel Jiménez, Advertising Client Growth Director for Microsoft at Aleph, analyzed the state and provincial affiliate ecosystem in North America, as well as the acquisition challenges in regulated markets.
Thursday 24 Sep 2026 / 12:00
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