Portugal’s cultural and economic characteristics influence its rich and complex gambling history. The history of gambling began in the 16th century when Portugal, a leading maritime power, reached its peak of colonization. Merchants and seafarers learned and spread around the world the various games of chance that were ingrained in Portuguese culture.
In those early days in Portugal, gambling was traditionally a private affair enjoyed by friends and family, often in local taverns. Games of cards and dice were particularly popular, and society was generally favorable to gambling. But because there was no regulatory oversight, gambling activities were largely informal and unregulated. This contributed to its widespread distribution and practice.
The need for supervision increased along with the popularity of gambling. Between the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, Portugal saw the emergence of more organized forms of gambling, such as lotteries, raffles, and tombolas, which were usually held at local fairs and public events. Horse racing became popular and people began to play animal contests, such as cockfighting, in both rural and urban settings. These activities attracted large numbers of people and are now an important component of public life. Informal private betting has become more common in everyday socializing.
The introduction of stricter controls was necessary due to the growth of the gambling industry, especially as the government discovered the profit opportunity. The Estoril Casino was opened in 1916, marking a turning point in the early 20th century. As a result of this event, Portugal began to implement government regulation of gambling. Following this, laws were passed that defined the gambling environment. One such example was the Gambling Law, which was passed in 1927. This law firmly established government control over casinos and other gambling establishments.
Subsequent laws continued to change. For example, the mid-1900s saw a major expansion of gambling and other activities. This included the creation of the National Lottery in 1955 and the legalization of sports betting.