Portugal’s Gaming Regulation and Inspection Service (SRIJ) has launched a centralised online self-exclusion platform, effective April 8, aimed at strengthening player protection by allowing users to block access to all licensed online gambling sites in the country.
The new system enables individuals, as well as third parties acting on their behalf, to submit self-exclusion requests that apply across all licensed operators, reducing the risk of users bypassing restrictions by switching platforms.
The platform consolidates previously fragmented processes into a single interface designed to be intuitive and quick to use, with a mobile-friendly format reflecting the growing number of players accessing gambling services via smartphones and tablets.
The rollout comes as Portugal’s online gambling market continues to expand. Gross digital gaming revenue reached €297.1 million ($346.5 million) in the third quarter of 2025, the second-highest quarterly total on record, while land-based casino revenue fell 4.6% year-on-year.
Centralised self-exclusion systems are gaining traction globally, with several countries introducing similar measures. Brazil launched a nationwide system in December 2025, enabling users to block access to all licensed platforms, while Russia implemented a scheme in September 2025 that prevents users from revoking their exclusion within the first 12 months.
In the UK, the national self-exclusion register Gamstop reported a 40% increase in registrations among users aged 16 to 24 in the second half of 2025 and offers an auto-renewal feature that can extend exclusions indefinitely.
“The rise in take-up of our auto-renewal option, in particular, shows that many consumers are seeking longer-term support and recognise the value of self-exclusion in helping them manage their gambling,” said Fiona Palmer, chief executive of Gamstop Group.
Germany has also recorded strong uptake of its OASIS self-exclusion system, with nearly 350,000 registrations in its first four years, underscoring growing demand for responsible gambling tools worldwide.
