Content Writer: Janice Chew • Monday, 26/01/2026 - 22:05:39 - PM
Estoril-Sol, Portugal’s leading land-based casino operator, has declined to participate in the public tender for the casino concession in Póvoa de Varzim, effectively abandoning its bid to retain the licence for the property. The company’s subsidiary, Varzim Sol – Turismo, Jogo e Animação, SA, did not submit a proposal by the deadline, according to a filing with the Portuguese Securities Market Commission (CMVM). As a result, Estoril-Sol has temporarily retained operating rights through a government-approved extension, while authorities evaluate bids from other interested parties.
The concession in Póvoa de Varzim was one of three major casino licences Portugal put to tender in late 2025. It was reported that the French gaming group Lucien Barrière was the only formal bidder for this licence, while Solverde emerged as the sole candidate for the Espinho casino concession. Meanwhile, the larger and more competitive Algarve region licence tender—covering Praia da Rocha, Vilamoura and Portimão—remained open until early January 2026.
Estoril-Sol continues to operate its flagship casinos in Estoril and Lisbon, for which it had previously secured new concession agreements in 2023, underscoring its strong market presence in Portugal’s biggest gaming centres. The Póvoa de Varzim casino represented one of the group’s smaller revenue contributors, with first-half 2025 gross revenue figures considerably lower than those of Lisbon.
The Portuguese government has extended existing casino concessions in the Póvoa de Varzim, Espinho and Algarve zones due to delays in the tender process, which missed its original end-of-2025 deadline. These interim extensions are designed to “comply with all required formalities” while regulators review proposals and prepare to award the new long-term licences.
