Interestingly, countries like Portugal have not been able to escape this wave. At a time when casinos are popular for using features like bonuses to expand their reach, this trend could shock many. In fact, claiming these features has become very convenient, such that you can access a bonus sem deposito Portugal with just a few taps on your mobile phone. But casinos are not just drawing upon these age-old tactics; they are also opening their doors to contemporary technologies, including crypto.

And in Portugal, crypto casinos are finding a foothold. Ask around in Lisbon’s coworking spaces or browse the Portuguese corners of crypto Telegram groups, and you’ll see players praising these platforms for their improved efficiency and minimal friction. This is happening just a few months after the government passed laws restricting the use of virtual assets for gambling activities. Whether online or land-based, you are only allowed to gamble using the country’s fiat currency.

But why are crypto casinos gaining traction despite these measures?

Everyone wants fast payments

Although it sounds simple, offering instant payments has become a distinguishing characteristic today. Can you believe that, according to Testlio, seven in ten customers want brands to take less than two seconds to process their payments? If you delay the payments, you could lose up to 20% of shoppers.

Another study by Fortune Business Insights values the global real-time payment market at $24.91 billion. In about seven years, this sector may have expanded by 35.4% CAGR, leading to a market volume of about $284.49 billion. All these statistics emphasise how increasingly important fast payments have become, explaining why crypto casinos are gaining traction in Portugal.

Remember, digital currencies are decentralised, meaning they don’t need intermediaries to complete transactions. This helps ensure you receive your funds in no time. It gets even better with more scalable networks like Solana. Besides improving the speed of transactions, these networks prevent lags, especially during peak seasons. Since these are the experiences many modern players seek, it shouldn’t be surprising that crypto casinos are becoming exceedingly popular in Portugal.

Crypto interactions are more secure

According to recent approximations, daily cyberattacks have reached 600 million. With this figure expected to increase, almost everyone’s concern about online security is unsurprising. And it is no different in the gambling industry, where scams have become more prevalent.

You’ll not fail to see many players investigating platforms before participating to check their security status. And in this case, only platforms that appear secure will appeal to these security-conscious players. Do you know that about 70% of online casinos recently reported encountering security incidents? Gamblers know that cybersecurity has become a critical concern, so online security is non-negotiable for many.

Thankfully, digital currencies and blockchain technology can help cater to this growing preference. By decentralising data storage, this technology eliminates the possibility of single-point failures, which are common in traditional infrastructures. Blockchain is also immutable, preventing the manipulation of data once it’s stored.

Everyone can play

Banco de Portugal says that only 70% of the country’s population had the highest level of financial inclusion by 2021. While this figure could have increased, a considerable number remain unbanked in 2025. For the casino industry, this could mean many players may not be able to gamble because of financial restrictions, such as age.

If such a population wants to gamble, they will likely opt for crypto casinos because of the ’almost zero’ financial restrictions. All they may need is a crypto wallet and a proper internet connection. With these features, you can participate from anywhere, removing the geographical barriers associated with traditional financial institutions.

Banks push back, but players find a way

Although cryptocurrencies have features that cater to the contemporary preferences of many Portuguese citizens, the government maintains a tough stance towards crypto payments. Just recently, in January 2025, the country’s major bank blocked fiat transfers to cryptocurrency platforms, explaining that the move aligned with the European Central Bank (ECB) regarding risks linked to virtual assets.

However, according to some experts, this move could soon backfire because users may turn to decentralised platforms, which are outside the control of traditional institutions. It could also backfire because other popular banks like Caixa Geral de Depósitos are still allowing such transfers.

Players have become resilient, with some opting to buy crypto abroad or using international neobanks to avoid scrutiny. On the regulatory side, cryptocurrency casinos operate in a grey area. But this doesn’t mean the Portuguese Gambling Regulatory Authority isn’t watching. As Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulations continue taking hold across the EU, it’s only a matter of time before Portuguese regulators are forced to address the crypto gambling question head-on.

At the moment, gamblers can enjoy fast speeds and secure interactions on their favourite blockchain-based platform. Those financially excluded because of geographical limitations can enjoy seamless access as long as they have crypto wallets. And because these experiences are common on crypto platforms, seeing these companies dominate Portugal’s gambling scene shouldn't shock you.