The government blocked more than 11,500 illegal betting sites after implementing new rules for the sector. To date, 153 brands have received authorization to operate in the online betting market.
The Secretary of Prizes and Bets at the Ministry of Treasury, Regis Dudena, released the data this Monday (10). He stated that the government began passing on lists of irregular websites to Anatel last year, which allowed the electronic addresses to be taken down.
Authorized companies and collection
The Ministry of Treasury reported that it authorized 68 companies to operate online betting. Each company can manage up to three brands, resulting in more than one website per operation. These companies paid grants as part of the authorization process, which generated revenue of R$2.1 billion for public coffers.
Since January 1st, only authorized websites can operate in Brazil. Furthermore, the government intensified inspection actions, carrying out 75 operations to date.
“The objective criterion we chose was: companies that had already requested authorization by September could follow and the others could not. From January onwards, only authorized companies will be able to operate”, declared Dudena.
Regulation and inspection
Supervision of the sector includes not only blocking illegal betting sites, but also creating rules to regularize the activity. According to Dudena, the government has issued 11 ordinances until July 2024 and is working on 14 more normative acts to increase transparency and market control.
The regulation also involves a continuous authorization process for companies that operate sports betting in the country. According to the Ministry of Treasury, 349 authorization requests were filed, 326 in 2024 and another 23 this year.
Therefore, the government has already analyzed 45 thousand documents and granted 68 authorizations, resulting in R$2.1 billion collected in grants.
Public consultation and new measures
During a press conference, Dudena announced a public consultation to discuss the regulation of sports betting and online casinos in 2025 and 2026.
He explained that he seeks to involve all sectors interested in creating clearer and more efficient legislation.
“This is a moment when, instead of simply publishing a regulatory agenda, we bring points for consultation. So that everyone has the opportunity to say what they think”, he stated.
The public consultation will address topics such as advertising rules, inspection and monitoring of financial transactions. Furthermore, the government will discuss measures to prevent gambling addiction and ensure transparency in the sector.
Influencers under investigation
The government is also monitoring digital influencers who promote illegal betting shops. According to Dudena, 51 influencers were fined for advertising on platforms without authorization to operate in Brazil.
Advertising regulation has been one of the government’s priorities. In 2023, the Ministry of Finance began a study to define stricter limits for betting advertisements, aiming to curb abuse and protect consumers, especially young people and people vulnerable to gaming addiction.
Impact and next steps
By regulating sports betting, the government hopes to increase revenue and ensure a safe and supervised environment for the sector. After all, only companies that have requested authorization and complied with legal requirements can operate.
The expectation is that, with public consultation and new regulatory acts, the betting market will become more organized and transparent, reducing fraud and ensuring greater security for Brazilian bettors.
Measures under study for the coming years
Therefore, the government is studying new rules for betting that will be debated in the public consultation. Among the proposals for 2025 are:
- Creation of a database of citizens self-excluded and prohibited from betting.
- Implementation of mechanisms for payment of image rights and other transfers.
- Certification of online game studio suppliers.
- Creation of a distinctive seal for authorized betting operators.
- Review of rules for commercial promotions.
- Reformulation of the Instant Lottery (Lotex) rules.
For 2026, proposals include:
- Regulation of suppliers in the AQF market (games and platforms).
- Creation of a National Betting System.
- Improvement of inspection procedures.
- Improvements in care for people with gambling disorder and their families.
- Review of the authorization process for AQF operators.
