Portugal extends casino licenses due to tender delays
The Portuguese government has extended casino licenses on a temporary basis at five properties after an international tender process failed to conclude as planned before the end of 2025.
Solverde will remain in control at three land-based casinos in the Algarve and Espinho gaming zone, while fellow operator Estoril Sol will stay on at a property in the Póvoa de Varzim gaming zone.
Algarve deadline extended
Initially, the government expected to award the 15-year licenses by the end of the year.
Three tenders – covering the trio of gaming zones – were launched on July 24, and the government announced that eight unnamed parties submitted bids by the September 5 deadline.
While the proposal deadlines have passed for the Espinho and Póvoa de Varzim zones, submissions for the three licenses in the Algarve remain open until this Sunday, January 4.
Extensions for ‘strictly necessary period’
Now, the country’s Ministry of Economy and Territorial Cohesion has confirmed that existing operators will remain in place for a “strictly necessary period” so that officials can “comply with all required formalities.”
According to reports, the process could be delayed by up to three months. Reported bidders include Blackstone-backed Cirsa, France-based Lucien Barrière, Mercan from Canada and Spanish group Comar. The government had already allowed existing operators to extend their licenses past their original 2023 expiration date due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
