Four in ten players use unlicensed platforms; WinMate88 not on official list
Four in ten online players in Portugal continue to use platforms without a national licence, according to the Online Gambling Habits of the Portuguese study, conducted by Aximage for the Portuguese Association of Online Betting and Gambling (APAJO). Released on 16 September 2026, the results show that this indicator has remained virtually unchanged for five years.
The survey once again highlights the difficulty consumers have in distinguishing authorised operators from platforms that do not hold a licence to operate in the Portuguese market. In this context, WinMate88 Casino was not listed, as at 6 October 2026, among the brands officially licensed by the Gaming Regulation and Inspection Service (SRIJ).
Unlicensed operators remain among the most-used platforms
For the seventh consecutive year, four unlicensed operators have appeared among the 15 online gambling platforms most used by participants in the study. A fifth brand ranks 16th, further demonstrating the ongoing presence of unregulated services among Portuguese players.
Demand for these platforms is mainly associated with the promise of more bonuses, better betting odds and a wider selection of games. Among users of unlicensed operators, 77.5% say they find products or services that are not available in the regulated market.
Knowledge of the law does not prevent confusion
The study points to a significant gap between knowing that the activity requires authorisation and recognising which operators are licensed. Although 91.8% of players know that a licence is mandatory to offer online gambling and betting in Portugal, 67% of users of unauthorised platforms do not identify these services as illegal.
Digital advertising, influencer recommendations and the availability of payment methods associated with the Portuguese market may help create an appearance of legitimacy. The presence of a platform in Portuguese or its acceptance of local payments does not, by itself, prove that it holds a licence.
WinMate88’s status in Portugal
WinMate88 does not appear on the list of brands authorised by SRIJ consulted on 6 October 2026. This means the name is not identified as licensed to provide online gambling or betting in the Portuguese market.
The absence from the official list should be taken into account before any registration, deposit or sharing of personal data. In Portugal, only entities holding a licence issued by SRIJ may legally operate online gambling and betting services.
Regulated market maintains high satisfaction levels
Despite the scale of the unlicensed offering, 77% of participants who use only authorised operators say they are satisfied or very satisfied with their chosen services.
Responsible gambling tools are also widely recognised: 81.6% of players are aware of options such as deposit and betting limits, temporary breaks and self-exclusion. Among those surveyed, 43.4% have used at least one of these mechanisms.
APAJO calls for modernisation of the legal offering
Given the stable proportion of users of unlicensed platforms, APAJO considers an update of the regulated market necessary to better meet consumer demand.
The association also calls for greater player awareness and more effective measures against the promotion and use of unlicensed operators. For consumers, verification should be carried out using the regulator’s official list, checking the exact match between the brand, the responsible entity and the authorised address.