The Gaming Regulation and Inspection Service (SRIJ), Portugal’s national regulator, has officially launched an overhauled self-exclusion platform.
Designed to simplify the process for both players and concerned non-players, the new system introduces a mobile-optimized interface for faster, more efficient requests across all 17 licensed operators in the country.
Intuitive Design for Effective Control
The Portugal’s SRIJ emphasized that this “simpler and more intuitive” platform is part of a broader effort to reinforce the effectiveness of gambling control mechanisms. Users can now choose to self-exclude for a minimum of three months, a specific fixed period, or indefinitely.
The move comes at a time of sustained growth for the Portuguese market, which generated €337.6 million in Q4 2025, a 4.5% year-on-year increase. As the market expands, the SRIJ is prioritizing the quality of its digital services to ensure that player safety remains the foundation of its regulatory model.
The “Frictionless” Challenge
While the industry welcomes improved safety tools, some operator executives warn of a delicate balance. Miguel Luis, Head of Compliance at Lebull, noted that the jurisdiction must avoid creating “interference” that might alienate players.
“The biggest challenge is to maintain an engaging and frictionless experience while protecting the player from risky behaviour… I believe the right balance involves investing in educational UX/UI… creating experiences where RG tools are presented not as barriers, but as elements of value to the user.”
Luis called for “true cross-sector collaboration” to ensure that responsible gaming measures are communicated as a beneficial service rather than a unilaterally imposed restriction, ensuring that players remain within the protected, regulated market.
