"During 2017 Casino Estoril distributed, to guests in its gaming venues, an expressive total prize value of €294,455,862, which is, an addition €29,176,000 more than in the same period of 2016," the statement said.

In the areas reserved for automatic machines, in 2017 the casino paid out "a daily average of more than €806,000 in prizes" and 87 jackpots worth over €15,000.

The biggest prize was paid out on 23 December to a Caribbean Poker player who won a "jackpot of over €241,000."

In December alone, Casino Estoril gave out prizes totalling €26,387,589.

Casino Estoril, located about 20 kilometres from Lisbon, as well as gaming areas, has restaurants, an art gallery and is the venue for various shows in its Black and Silver hall.

Casino Estoril first opened in 1931, but the concession for the gaming areas dates back to 1927. The casino was built by entrepreneur Fausto Figueiredo, who wanted to transform the Estoril Coast into the Portuguese Côte d'Azur.