The regulated market for sports betting and online gaming came into effect in Brazil on January 1st of this year. This topic was recently highlighted at the SBC Summit Rio 2025, held in the last week of February. In addition, Fellipe Fraga, Chief Business Officer (CBO) and Institutional Relations (RI) at EstrelaBet, addressed the positive impacts of the new legislation in the following article.
“The SBC Summit Rio 2025, the first major event in the sector in Brazil within the regulated market, highlighted the positive impact of regulation on iGaming in the country. The significant growth of the fair in relation to the previous edition showed a more structured sector, with new exhibitors and a significant presence of companies focused on security, compliance and innovation. The event also reinforced the confidence of brands in the new regulated environment, which allows more predictability for investments, expands possibilities for strategic partnerships and strengthens the credibility of the market.
The end of the gray area brought an essential step forward for the consolidation of the sector. With clear rules, companies now have a more precise understanding of their responsibilities, from the payment of the concession fee to the implementation of strict security and fraud prevention guidelines. This involves requirements such as facial identification of bettors, the action of accredited certification entities and financial monitoring mechanisms. These measures ensure greater transparency and make it more difficult for illegal operators to act, protecting both consumers and the integrity of the industry.
Regulations have also increased requirements related to responsible gaming. Companies in the sector have adopted more structured policies to mitigate risky behavior, with tools such as self-exclusion, setting time and amount limits for bets, and continuous monitoring of user behavior. Some operators, such as EstrelaBet, have partnered with academic institutions to offer free psychological support to players who seek help or are identified with signs of vulnerability. These initiatives demonstrate a broader movement in the sector towards self-regulation and the creation of a safer environment for bettors.
Another point that became clear at the SBC Summit Rio 2025 was how regulations have impacted the entire industry operation. There are now stricter rules for communicating with the public, and regulatory requirements are also reflected in the implementation of anti-fraud technologies, the improvement of compliance processes, and the adoption of mechanisms that guarantee the integrity of the game. If the Brazilian market previously depended largely on solutions imported and adapted from other countries, today there is a growing movement to develop technologies and services designed specifically to meet the requirements of national regulations. Many of these solutions were already highlighted at the event, demonstrating how the market has invested to meet the new standards and strengthen its credibility.
The SBC Summit Rio 2025 symbolized this new phase, in which companies’ differentiation increasingly depends on their commitment to good practices. The event showed a more competitive but also more qualified market, where innovation and responsibility go hand in hand. If before there was legal uncertainty and operational uncertainties, today the scenario allows for more structured growth, in which the brands that stand out are those that adopt a sustainable business model and are committed to regulatory compliance.
Looking ahead, the industry must continue to evolve, improving its operations and strengthening compliance practices. Brazilian regulations create a healthier environment for companies, consumers and the government itself, which now has concrete data on the revenue and economic impact of iGaming in the country. There are still challenges, especially in combating illegal operations, but regulatory advances have already brought visible benefits and paved the way for a more mature and responsible market.
In the end, the SBC Summit Rio 2025 reinforced that in the regulated market, there is a lot of room for the sector to shine and the best bets are transparency, innovation and responsibility”.
*Fellipe Fraga is the Chief Business Officer (CBO) and responsible for Institutional Relations at EstrelaBet. He holds a law degree from PUC Minas, with a specialization in Public Law from UNESA, and has extensive experience in the areas of Public, Electoral and International Law. He was a founding member of the Superior Court of Sports Justice for American Football (STJD-FA) and was a member of the Sports Law Committee of the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB-MG).
