LATAM

The Brazilian regulator is in the final stages of preparing a conclusive list detailing the specific individuals who are excluded from participating in the Bets market, as reported by SBC Noticias – Brasil.

Drafted by the the Ministry of Finance‘s Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA), the list includes public officials, minors, individuals with a professional involvement in the regulated betting market, as well as various professionals involved in sports – be it athletes, referees, officials, club delegates and coaches.

The rules around sports have been written into the ‘Bets’ regulatory regime since its inception on 1 January this year, but the high profile investigations into prominent Brazilian players like Lucas Paquetá and Bruno Henrique prompted the SPA to remind operators of their sports integrity duties.

Bolsa Familia remains a no go area
Upholding Bets’ integrity and social responsibility has led to the government’s decision to exclude a huge range of people receiving public benefits from betting and gambling, specifically those on the Bolsa Famillia and Continuous Cash Benefit (BPC) schemes.

Bolsa Familia and BPC support families below the poverty line and elderly people (65 years old and over) respectively. The former is claimed by around 54 million people while the latter is claimed by over 5.8 million.

The ban on people receiving these benefits from betting in the regulated market was introduced in April, via direct orders of President Lula da Silva. Based on the number of people who claim these benefits, it can be estimated that around 30% of Brazil’s population are excluded from betting.

The decision to ban many benefit recipients from betting is a unique player protection initiative, especially for such a young market like Brazil. In contrast, more well established markets like the Netherlands, Australia and the UK have no similar initiative.

This is despite regular conversations around the relationship between betting and indebtedness in these countries – although the latter three have admittedly introduced bans on credit card payments for gambling.

Expect tougher consequences
The Brazilian government has reminded companies that they must refuse registrations, deposits, and wagers from anyone included on the list. Firms have also been told to block and refund the accounts held by anyone already on the list.

Although the benefits of the recipient element of the list is significant, the government’s main priority is likely ensuring that minors are unable to gamble. The Ministry of Justice has previously highlighted statistics showing that teenagers are the most vulnerable to gambling harm, estimating that around 55% of bettors aged between 14-17 are at risk.

Nearly nine months into the Bets regime, the government and legislature is still finding a need to adjust certain elements of its regulatory framework. Just a couple of weeks ago, for example, a Senator proposed increasing the age limit for betting from 18 to 21.

Another problem is the lingering presence of the black and grey markets, which have existed long before the Bets regime launched on 1 January. This was noted by stakeholders speaking at the SBC Summit Rio shortly after the market launch.

“We need to fight illegal houses, something that really has an impact on our market,” Rafael Borges, CEO, UX Group and Reals. “Once they are working illegally they hinder the way Brazilian people see our market.”

As the regulated market rollout continued throughout 2025, the connection between illicit markets and social media has become a particular area of concern. The role influencers play in promoting illegal gambling has often been cited.

Social media must uphold Bets protections
Last week, the Brazilian Attorney General’s Office (AGU) requested that Instagram and Facebook owner Meta remove adverts for illegal gaming platforms, citing laws requiring online betting to be operated “with prior authorisation issued by the Ministry of Finance.”

The AGU’s statement continued: “Therefore, companies that have not obtained authorization from the Ministry of Finance are operating illegally, which also makes advertising their services and applications illegal.”

“As a general rule, authorised websites must have the ending ‘.bet.br,’ for example.”

Meta has been asked to remove the illegal adverts within 48 hours and to ensure that similar adverts are not posted again. According to the AGU, Meta has pledged to update its terms and use, but needs to make additions to its verification process.

To give it credit, the social media giant has become more diligent regarding gambling advertising across the various countries it is active in – with Facebook active in nearly every country in the world, there are a lot of local gambling advertising requirements to navigate.

The Rio de Janeiro police force launched “Desfortuna Operation” carried out by the Civil Police of Rio de Janeiro this Thursday, the 7th, already has influencers in its list of targets in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and Minas Gerais. The operation focuses on criminal schemes involving the promotion of illegal online gambling. A total…

Brazil is gearing up for a major regulatory shift as the Ministry of Finance finalises the National Betting System (SINAPO) – a new central hub designed to bring all betting operators under one roof.

Built by the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA), the platform looks to unify oversight at both federal and state levels, giving regulators and consumers a clearer picture of which firms are playing by the rules.

The creation of a public register of licensed companies remains at the heart of the reform. Published on the SPA’s website, the list will make it easier for punters to see which operators are legitimate, while giving approved brands valuable benefits.

From smoother bank account openings to legal advertising and app store inclusion, the move is designed to make life easier for compliant operators, but harder for those outside the system.

More than just a name on the list
Perhaps the biggest lure for operators is the opportunity to use a bet.br domain – a digital stamp that signals full SINAPO approval. Securing it means going through NIC.br, clearing legal checks with state or district authorities, and getting the green light from the SPA.

To get through the door, operators have to meet every requirement in Law No. 14,790/2023. They must also plug into Brazil’s anti-money laundering network, Siscoaf, use geolocation to keep betting inside authorised borders, and have all systems approved by testing labs.

Tightening the net on ownership
The SPA has also detailed plans to dig deeper into who really owns Brazil’s betting brands. Under SINAPO, operators will need to disclose their entire corporate chain, from holding companies to individual shareholders.

This is aimed at stopping the same group from picking up multiple concessions across different states – a restriction rooted in Law No. 13,756/2018.

Ongoing shifts
Since Brazil’s regulated betting market officially launched on 1 January 2025, the scene has been moving fast. Lawmakers are already looking at additional measures that would affect both operators and players.

Last week, Senator Humberto Costa proposed raising the legal betting age from 18 to 21 and capping monthly deposits to the equivalent of one minimum wage, while allowing the Ministry of Finance to set extra daily or weekly limits.

The proposal also targets advertising, aiming to restrict betting promotions between 6am and 10pm, ban sponsorship of public sports, cultural or festival events, and stop all marketing aimed at under-21s.

Costa says these measures are intended to protect vulnerable players, citing cases where gambling has caused serious social harm and even diverted funds from essentials like tuition and daily living.

These steps build on earlier rules introduced since the market rollout, including bans on influencer or athlete endorsements, in-stadium ads and live sports betting promotions.

Brazil’s betting scene is expanding quickly, but regulators seem to be acting just as fast to make sure growth happens responsibly.

Brazil’s betting sector could soon face fresh restrictions after Senator Humberto Costa proposes a bill to raise the legal betting age to 21 and cap player spending.

Bill 3754/2025, filed this week in the Senate, would lift the age limit from 18 and restrict monthly deposits to the value of one minimum wage. The Ministry of Finance would also be able to set extra daily and weekly limits.

Meanwhile, the proposal takes aim at betting promotion too. Humberto seeks to ban adverts between 6am-10pm and block operator sponsorship of public sports, cultural, artistic or festival events, regardless of whether they receive state funding.

On the other hand, ads aimed at under-21s would be banned entirely. Costa said such measures are needed to tackle the social harm linked to Brazil’s still young betting market, overseen by the ‘Bets’ regulatory regime.

He said, as reported by SBC Noticias – Brasil: “In July, a son killed his own mother in Minas Gerais over debts from Bet. Money meant for groceries, local markets, and small businesses is being drained into Bets.

“Many young people of university age are either delaying enrolment or dropping out of college because their tuition money is being spent on gambling, even with the support of Fies (Student Financing Fund).”

The senator added that “Bets should not even exist,” citing the societal impact of the new regulated betting market.

Brazil’s market has expanded rapidly since the market was launched on 1 January 2025 – but growth has brought tighter rules.

Earlier this year, the Senate passed a ban on influencer and athlete endorsements, in-stadium ads and betting spots during live sports, for example.

Could new rules slow things down?
Brazil’s betting market is booming – valued at around BRL 5bn (£680m) in 2025 and, as stated above, it is growing fast.

Industry insiders warn that raising the legal age to 21 and capping monthly spending might push some players towards unregulated or illegal sites, which already make up 20-30% of the market.

On the other hand, consumer advocates back the move, saying it is needed to protect vulnerable groups. Around 10% of young Brazilians aged 18-24 already bet regularly, and problem gambling rates have been climbing.

In a significant move for the company’s ambitions in Brazil’s newly regulated betting market, Sportradar has partnered with BETesporte to implement Bettor Sense.

Bettor Sense has been described as an AI-powered, personalised solution that is designed to detect early signs of gambling-related risk.

BETesporte becomes the first operator in Brazil to adopt the platform as the firm looks to reinforce its commitment to more transparent betting whilst the country continues to embrace its new sector.

Tom Mace, SVP of Integrity and Regulatory Services, Product and Strategy at Sportradar, said: “This partnership with BETesporte marks an important milestone for Sportradar’s ongoing mission to help shape secure and sustainable sports betting and iGaming industries.

“BETesporte is taking a proactive step in embracing responsible gaming as a core part of its business. We are confident this will be the first of many partnerships, as the market increasingly recognises the value of using data and technology to protect end users and strengthen compliance.”

The agreement also sees BETesporte join Sportradar’s Integrity Exchange, a global information-sharing network with the aim of combating betting-related corruption and match-fixing.

“Sportradar’s advanced technology enables us to anticipate and prevent risky behaviour, ensuring our bettors have the best possible experience with complete safety,” added Marcos Pereira, CEO of BETesporte.

“We will continue working tirelessly to protect the integrity of sport and the trust of our users, which remains our top priority.”

AI’s growing impact
Bettor Sense utilises AI and behavioural research to provide personalised interventions that help operators identify and support players exhibiting risky behaviour, before problems escalate.

This proactive approach marks a shift from traditional reactive responsible gambling measures, giving operators a tool to promote player safety and meet the increasing regulatory demands in the region.

The move sees Sportradar eying further opportunities to expand its reach into other parts of the sector other than just sportstech. As markets worldwide strengthen responsible gambling requirements, AI-driven tools like Bettor Sense are becoming increasingly popular for carrying out compliance tasks.

Febraban, Brazil’s Federation of National Banks, has outlined that it will work with the Ministry of Finance (MEF) and the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) to eliminate money laundering from gambling activities.

The statement was made by Febraban President, Isaac Sidney, following a meeting with Ministry of Finance leadership and Regis Dudena, President of the SPA. Dialogue focused on safeguarding Brazil’s regulated betting sector from economic crimes amid concerns that criminal organisations are using online platforms to launder illicit funds, deemed an ‘economic liability’ impacting society.

Febraban, which represents the biggest financial institutions including Bradesco, Banco do Brasil, and Itaú, stressed the need for a coordinated “public-private action plan to prevent the misuse of digital payment systems”, such as Pix, by illegal gambling operators.

Sidney warned: “Online betting platforms are a high-risk channel for money laundering. The public sector and private institutions must act decisively to prevent organised crime from using these tools to expand their financial operations.”

He also called for immediate limits on Pix-based betting transactions: “If banning Pix is not feasible in the short term, then maximum betting limits must be established as the Central Bank already does for night-time transactions.”

The meeting brought together key representatives from Brazil’s banking AML/CTF units, including compliance directors, national managers, and security chiefs, reinforcing the sector’s alignment with federal regulators.

The discussions come as the Ministry of Finance considers increasing the Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) tax rate on fixed-odds betting from 12% to 18%, part of a broader tax reform to boost public revenues and enhance sector transparency.

Separately, in May 2025, Febraban also met with the Associação Nacional de Jogos e Loterias (ANJL) to deepen cooperation. ANJL President Plínio Lemos Jorge warned that illegal operators pose the greatest money laundering risks. He welcomed Febraban’s support and called for closer collaboration between banks and licensed betting operators to protect market integrity.

“We must not lose sight that the real risk lies with unregulated platforms. A unified strategy between the banking sector and licensed operators is essential to build a transparent and compliant gambling ecosystem,” said Jorge.

Chamber proposes funding measure for Deaf Sports

Meanwhile, the Chamber of Deputies continues to review new legislative proposals. Among them, Bill No. 448/2024 would allocate 0.1% of online betting revenues to the Brazilian Confederation of Sports for the Deaf (CBDS), diverting part of the current funding from the Ministry of Sport.

Federal Deputy Flávia Morais (PDT-GO), the bill’s rapporteur, underscored the social value of the measure: “The CBDS plays a vital role in promoting sport among the deaf community. These resources will allow the organisation to expand its work, support more athletes, and strengthen inclusive sporting programmes across the country.”

Taken together, these developments signal Brazil’s determination to strengthen its regulatory framework as the gambling market matures — balancing increased taxation, financial compliance, and social responsibility.

Ricardo Assis – SBC Noticias Brazil
The CPI’s rapporteurs are demanding a shock to the system and reset of the governance, regulation, and enforcement of Brazil’s online gambling sector. Ricardo Assis, Editor of SBC Noticias Brazil declares that all regulatory conditions of the Bets regime are placed under scrutiny.

A series of radical reforms, penalties and criminal enforcements have been proposed by the Senate’s Commission Inquiry (CPI) evaluating the economic and social impacts of the Bets Regime.

Just 19 weeks since the CPI commenced its evaluation, led by Senator Soraya Thronicke (Podemos–MS) and Dr Hiran Gonçalves (PP–RR), the rapporteurs have submitted their recommendations to the Senate.

The CPI was established to evaluate the economic liabilities and social threats of Brazil legalising online gambling since 1 January 2025.

The inquiry heard testimonies from operators, stakeholders and whistleblowers on wide ranging topics from fraud and match-fixing to money laundering, advertising malpractice and the absence of consumer safeguards.

Of significance, the inquiry hit national headlines after testimony concerning Virginia Fonseca, a social media influencer with over 50 million followers, who is accused of misleading advertising and acting as a financial beneficiary of unlicensed operators.

As reported by SBC Notícias, the CPI’s final report calls for 16 indictments, targeting both individuals and entities. Fonseca, alongside influencer Deolane Bezerra, is named in connection with promoting illegal betting operators, with the report stating it was “unlikely” that Bezerra “ceased to be an effective partner and simply became a spokesperson.”

The report proposes the criminalisation of match manipulation in sports be signed into federal law. An action to be governed by the creation of a ‘National Sports Integrity Authority’, that will oversee the regulation of automated systems used by betting platforms.

Algorithms, the report noted, often operate without independent certification, making it “difficult for the bettor to assess the real risk involved.” A technical audit protocol is proposed, under regulatory supervision, to ensure transparency in how odds and promotions are determined.

The commission warns that betting platforms have become conduits for illicit financial activities. Evidence presented to the CPI outlined the use of fragmented transactions, third-party CPFs, untraceable crypto operations, and withdrawals routed through accounts tied to Brazil’s social welfare schemes. To counteract these abuses, the CPI has recommended data-sharing protocols between the Federal Tax Authority, COAF, and licensed operators, as well as regular financial audits.

Brazilian football, a key beneficiary of betting sponsorship, came under heavy criticism. Club executives admitted they lacked integrity departments and were often unaware of commercial terms involving gambling partners, with many deals brokered through intermediaries. The commission labelled this state of affairs “institutional omission” and “structural unpreparedness.”

Digital influencers, a core channel for consumer engagement, were described in the report as central players in normalising irresponsible betting behaviours. As such, affiliate contracts linking influencer revenue to user losses were described by the commission as “anti-educational and perverse.” The CPI has formally requested investigations into these arrangements by COAF and Receita Federal.

The report further urges an outright ban on online casino-style games, denouncing them as “online slot machines with exclusively deleterious characteristics,” while calling for extensive reform of betting advertising, including:

Prohibition of gambling ads during prime-time TV
Bans on welcome bonuses and misleading promotions
Mandatory age and financial suitability checks for bettors

Additional proposals include embedding gambling addiction awareness and financial literacy into school curricula, alongside national prevention campaigns supported by the SUS, NGOs and “conscientious influencers.”

Despite being tabled, the report will not be voted on immediately. As SBC Notícias reports, several senators have called for more time to review its recommendations. CPI President Dr Hiran has since indicated that he will move to postpone the vote until the following week.

Political consequences now loom for Brazil’s fledgling Bets Regime. Last week, Finance Minister Fernando Haddad has backed a provisional measure to raise the GGR tax on licensed operators from 12% to 18%, as a measure to fill budgetary gaps of the PT government.

A pending tax hike underscores the government’s push for tighter fiscal and regulatory oversight, prompting a coalition of trade bodies to challenge a tax framework they argue imposes an effective burden exceeding 50%.

The publication of the CPI’s report and its pending vote bring a turbulent close to the first six months of the Bets Regime existence. With mounting headwinds of tax hikes, compliance demands and the threat of criminal sanctions, the competitive landscape of Brazil’s online gambling market is poised for reshaping in the second half of the year. The only certainty, it seems, is continued volatility of a fragile Bets market that has been radically transformed since its launch on 1 January.

The Secretariat of Prizes and Betting of the Ministry of Finance (SPA/MF) announced this Thursday, the 3rd, a cooperation agreement with the Digital Council of Brazil.The partnership aims to improve the safety and compliance of the online betting and gaming market, especially on social media. The agreement was signed at the auditorium of the Ministry…