Get informed before you play. Ask for help if you need it.
Gambling is entertainment that costs money and carries risk. This page gathers Portugal's official support contacts, the warning signs, and the tools every licensed operator must provide.
Line 1414 — SOS Jogador (ICAD)
Free, anonymous and confidential helpline run by the Institute for Addictive Behaviours and Dependencies (ICAD). Open Monday to Friday, 10:00 to 18:00. You can also write by email.
Self-exclusion and gambling bans
Anyone can ask the SRIJ to be added to the self-exclusion register, which blocks access to every licensed operator in Portugal for the chosen period. The request is free and can be made online.
Treatment and follow-up
ICAD runs a public network of support services for addictive behaviours across the country. You can register online, with a severity assessment and referral to a consultation.
Warning signs
Problem gambling rarely appears overnight. These signs justify stopping and asking for help:
- Gambling with money meant for essentials (rent, bills, food).
- Trying to win back losses by gambling more ("chasing").
- Borrowing money or selling belongings to gamble.
- Hiding or minimising the time and money spent gambling.
- Irritability or anxiety when unable to gamble.
- Failed attempts to cut down or stop.
- Constantly thinking about the next bet or session.
If you recognise two or more of these signs, call 1414 or talk to your family doctor. Speaking up early makes a difference.
Control tools at licensed operators
Portugal's online gambling law (Decree-Law 66/2015) requires every SRIJ-licensed operator to provide player-protection mechanisms:
- Deposit limits — daily, weekly and monthly, set by the player. Lowering a limit takes effect immediately; raising it only after a cooling-off period.
- Self-exclusion at the operator — temporary or permanent account suspension, blocking deposits and bets.
- Self-exclusion at the SRIJ — a central register that blocks access to every licensed operator in Portugal.
- Identity verification — mandatory before the first withdrawal and to confirm the minimum age of 18.
- Account history — access to the record of deposits, bets, wins and losses to track real spending.
Protecting minors
The minimum gambling age in Portugal is 18. Licensed operators must verify players' identity and age. This website is not aimed at minors, uses no imagery or language appealing to minors, and recommends parental-control tools on shared devices.
Support contacts in Portugal
| Service | Contact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Line 1414 — SOS Jogador (ICAD) | 1414 | Free, anonymous, confidential. Mon–Fri 10:00–18:00. Email: 1414@icad.min-saude.pt |
| Self-exclusion — SRIJ | srij.turismodeportugal.pt | Online request for self-exclusion or a gambling ban, valid at every licensed operator. |
| ICAD — registration for support | icad.pt | Public network of support services for addictive behaviours. |
| SRIJ — Gambling Regulation and Inspection Service | +351 211 140 200 | Regulator. Rua Ivone Silva, Lote 6, 1050-124 Lisboa. info.srij@turismodeportugal.pt |
| SNS 24 | 808 24 24 24 | National Health Service 24-hour health line. |
Our commitments
- We only publish and link to SRIJ-licensed operators.
- We never use language suggesting easy wins, urgency, or that gambling solves money problems.
- We always show the material conditions of any bonus we describe.
- We display the 18+ notice and the 1414 helpline on every page.
- We do not target minors or self-excluded persons.