Portugal to Turn Over Two Land-based Casino Licenses to New Operators

August 25, 2022 Europe Crime & Legal Industry Updates

Two years ago, Portugal’s Gaming Regulation and Inspection Services (SRIJ, for its Portuguese acronym) extended the concessions for the casinos of Figueira da Foz and Estoril because of COVID-19. However, it is now time for them to end their contracts and go to an international competition.

As of December 31, the concessions for these casinos will end. As a result, the SRIJ has launched an international public tender for the casinos. The new licensees will receive 15-year concessions, with the possibility of renewing them for another five years.

Changing of the Guard
The application window for new licensees will remain open until the middle of September. Those companies who impress the SRIJ the most will receive the exclusive right to provide games of chance in their respective areas.

Domestic and foreign businesses can apply. The primary stipulation for a foreign operator is that it have business residency in a country in the European Union or the European Economic Area. However, that country must also be party to internationally recognized anti-money laundering (AML) standards.

Applicants don’t necessarily have to already be part of the gaming industry. For example, the owner of Casino Figueira is Amorim, a Portuguese company that specializes in cork products. It bought the casino concession from its previous holder, Sociedade Figueira Praia, a local gambling company.

On the other hand, Casino Estoril is part of a well-known entity in the casino industry. Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau operates the casino and is the parent company of SJM Holdings, a Macau casino concessionaire.

Other casinos will become available over the course of the next decade. For example, the concession for the casino in Póvoa ends in 2025. At the same time, the concessions for casinos in Espinho and three in Algarve expire.

Casinos in Troia and Chaves will eventually become available when their current concessions end in December 2032.