The Gaming Regulation and Inspection Service of Portugal (SRIJ) has introduced a centralized online self-exclusion platform, effective from April 8. This initiative aims to enhance player safety by enabling users to restrict access to all licensed online gambling sites within the country.
This new system allows individuals, as well as authorized third parties, to submit self-exclusion requests that apply universally across all licensed operators. This approach minimizes the chances of users evading restrictions by switching between different platforms.
The platform streamlines previously disjointed processes into a single, user-friendly interface, optimized for mobile devices. This design caters to the increasing number of players who prefer accessing gambling services through smartphones and tablets.
The launch of this platform coincides with the ongoing growth of Portugal's online gambling market. In the third quarter of 2025, gross digital gaming revenue reached €297.1 million ($346.5 million), marking the second-highest quarterly figure ever recorded, while revenue from land-based casinos saw a decline of 4.6% year-on-year.
Globally, centralized self-exclusion systems are becoming more prevalent, with various countries implementing similar initiatives. Brazil introduced a nationwide system in December 2025 that allows users to block access to all licensed platforms. Meanwhile, Russia established a scheme in September 2025 that prevents users from lifting their exclusion within the first year.
In the UK, the national self-exclusion register, Gamstop, reported a 40% rise in registrations among users aged 16 to 24 during the latter half of 2025. The platform also features an auto-renewal option, allowing exclusions to be extended indefinitely.
Fiona Palmer, CEO of Gamstop Group, commented, “The increase in the uptake of our auto-renewal option indicates that many consumers are looking for long-term support and understand the importance of self-exclusion in managing their gambling habits.”
Germany has also seen significant engagement with its OASIS self-exclusion system, which recorded nearly 350,000 registrations in its first four years, highlighting the growing demand for responsible gambling tools worldwide.