(AsiaGameHub) –   After months of delays, Portugal has finalized its concession process to award new casino operation contracts across its authorized gaming zones.

Supervised by the regulatory agency Serviço de Regulação e Inspeção de Jogos (SRIJ), Portugal will grow its land-based casino portfolio from 11 existing venues to 14 total locations.

This expansion comes after months of drawn-out negotiations between SRIJ, Turismo de Portugal, the Ministry of the Economy, and the state-run Territorial Cohesion authority. 

Discussions were prolonged over issues including licensing costs, state tax revenues, administrative backlogs, and the need to ensure all concession terms comply with European Union (EU) procurement regulations.

Portugal forecasts that the new concessions will generate over €1 billion in public revenue over their full term, on top of roughly €100.6 million in upfront concession fees.

However, far more was at stake than simply renewing casino licenses: Portugal was also determining which entities would control some of its most valuable gaming assets for the next 15 years.

Fiscal returns were placed at the core of the concession framework’s evaluation model. Operators were assessed under a weighted structure where 50% of the score was based on the percentage contribution offered above Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR), 35% on fixed annual concession payments, and 15% on guaranteed minimum variable contributions.

Portuguese authorities designed this model to maximize long-term public revenues, while also ensuring operators retain sufficient capital to invest in gaming facilities, maintain uninterrupted operations, and support tourism development.

Domestic incumbent operator Solverde emerged as the leading beneficiary, keeping hold of the Algarve and Espinho concessions and cementing its position as Portugal’s top land-based casino operator.

The Algarve concession package holds particular strategic importance, covering gaming assets in Vilamoura, Monte Gordo and Praia da Rocha, all venues closely tied to Portugal’s tourism economy and southern hospitality sector.

For Lisbon policymakers, this round of concessions was about more than just gambling, as the Algarve gaming zone alone is projected to contribute nearly €10 million per year to state coffers. 

Bem vindo à Groupe Barrière

The most notable development, however, originated in northern Portugal.

French casino group Groupe Lucien Barrière won the Póvoa de Varzim concession, officially entering the Portuguese market and ending decades of near-exclusive domestic control over the country’s casino sector.

This shift marks one of the largest structural changes to Portugal’s land-based gambling industry in recent decades.

Portugal currently operates 11 casinos across its authorized gaming zones, with ownership historically concentrated among local operators. Prior to this, international influence only entered the sector indirectly through Estoril Sol, whose ownership traces back to ties with the Macau gaming empire founded by Stanley Ho, later linked to holdings associated with Pansy Ho.

Barrière has taken over control of Casino Póvoa de Varzim, a venue first opened in 1934 located roughly 30 kilometers north of Porto, with plans to expand its footprint beyond core gaming operations as well.

The French operator will manage the property, which currently features 500 gaming positions, 11 traditional gaming tables, hospitality facilities, a theatre with seating for over 400 people, and a workforce of approximately 220 employees.

Clément Martin-Saint-Léon, Casino General Manager for Groupe Lucien Barrière, stated: “Póvoa de Varzim brings together everything that makes the projects we develop unique: a place steeped in history, a dynamic destination and genuine transformation potential.”

He further noted: “Our ambition is to bring a contemporary vision of the casino — thinking of it as a complete entertainment destination where gaming interacts with gastronomy, live performance and the broader visitor experience.”

The group plans to upgrade gaming infrastructure, hospitality offerings and live entertainment programming, while also integrating the property more closely with tourist flows connected to Porto.

Grégory Rabuel, Chief Executive of Barrière, framed the Portugal entry as part of the brand’s wider international expansion strategy.

“This is exactly how Barrière approaches development today: evolving iconic establishments to unlock their full potential without losing their identity,” Rabuel said in closing.

Portuguese authorities remain confident that the use of authorized gaming zones will play a key role in boosting the country’s entertainment industry, repositioning land-based casinos as attractive, viable leisure and hospitality destinations.