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Portugal is preparing to change its online gambling rules. The country’s gambling regulator has approved draft updates that will allow new features in online slot games and sports betting. These changes aim to match what players already see in other European markets, while still keeping clear limits and player protection in place.
If the updates are officially published, the new rules will start working from the very next day.
New Slot Features May Become Legal
The draft changes to the slot rules focus on two popular tools that many players already know from other countries.
The first is called the “buy bonus” feature. This allows players to pay to enter a bonus round without waiting for it to appear during normal play. Under the new plan, players will only be able to use this feature in a limited way. The cost of buying a bonus cannot be more than four times the chosen bet. Players can also only use this option two times in one gaming session. Every time they use it, they must confirm their choice clearly.
The second feature is known as “bet boost.” This lets players increase their stake to improve their chances of winning or to unlock higher rewards. The new rule says the boosted amount cannot be more than half of the original bet. It can only be used on bets of up to ten euros. Players can activate this feature for only four spins in a row, and each use must be confirmed.
The regulator believes these updates do not change the system in a major way. That is why they do not need extra approval at the European level. Once the rules are published, they will take effect right away.
Sports Betting Gets Clearer Rules
Portugal is also updating its rules for online sports betting. The goal is to make popular tools official and apply the same standards to all licensed companies.
One of the main updates is the formal approval of “bet builder.” This feature allows players to create one bet by combining several predictions into a single ticket. These predictions can come from the same match or from different events. The new rules explain how odds should be calculated and how winnings should be paid for these combined bets.
Another feature now written into the rules is “cash-out.” This lets players close their bet early before the match or event ends. When they do this, they receive a smaller payout than what they could have won if they waited for the final result. This feature will remain optional for betting companies, not mandatory.
The regulator also added clear rules about when a bet must be canceled and when odds become final. According to the update, once a bet is accepted, the odds cannot be changed. If one part of a combined or custom bet is canceled, that part will be counted as odds of one, which means it does not change the final payout.
What This Means for Players and Operators
These changes are designed to bring Portugal closer to other major online gambling markets. Players may get more choice and control over how they play, while operators get clear legal guidance on features they already offer in some form.
At the same time, the rules include strict limits to reduce risky behavior. Caps on costs, limited use per session, and required confirmations are meant to help players stay aware of their actions.
Once the final version is published in the Official Gazette, both slot and sports betting updates will become active the very next day. This could mark a new phase for Portugal’s regulated online gambling market, with more modern tools and clearer protections for everyone involved.
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