Out of every 10 Brazilians, six gamblers used irregular platforms this year. The figures are from a survey by the Locomotiva Institute, released this Thursday (12). However, the sector’s regulations, in force since January 1, 2025, determine that only licensed operators can operate legally in the country.
Including tax obligations, operational regulations and various mechanisms to protect bettors. Despite this, 61% of those interviewed admitted to having placed irregular bets this year, often without being aware of the risks involved.
The survey was conducted between April and May and interviewed 2,000 adult gamblers:
- 78% of respondents find it difficult to distinguish legal from illegal websites;
- 72% say they are not always able to verify the regularity of platforms;
- 46% have already deposited money on a platform later identified as fake or irregular.
According to the Locomotiva Institute, due to lack of knowledge about the protection mechanisms of regulated platforms, people with lower income and education levels are the most affected.
The Institute also notes that among the tactics used by illegal operators are “the use of names similar to those of legalized brands, frequent domain changes and unregulated advertising through digital influencers, with misleading promises of easy profit”.
The data also shows that 87% of bettors advocate that the government act decisively against irregular betting platforms. “The data represents more than a diagnosis of the sector.
They are an urgent call for coordinated action between authorities. This involves licensed operators and civil society, with the aim of protecting citizens. In doing so, ensuring the integrity and sustainability of the betting sector in Brazil”, highlights the institute.
Illegality and the fiscal impact
The research served as the basis for the study Off the Radar: Sizing and Socioeconomic Impacts of the Illegal Betting Market in Brazil, prepared by LCA Consultores and supported by the Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR).
The survey estimates that 41% to 51% of the Brazilian online betting market is still illegal, with a fiscal impact of between R$1.8 billion and R$2.7 billion that was not collected in just three months. The amount could reach R$10.8 billion in one year.
For the executive president of IBJR, Fernando Vieira, the numbers are shocking and demonstrate the urgency of an effective fight against the illegal market. According to him, five months after having agreed on the conditions of operation in the market with the companies, the government increased the tax burden for regulated companies.
According to the director of Regulation and Public Policies at LCA Consultores, Eric Brasil, the challenge now is a well-articulated and intensive fight against the illegal market.
“Reducing the illegal market brings a series of benefits to Brazilian society, from protecting gamblers and combating organized crime, to increasing government revenue, which is essential at this time of fiscal crisis,” he said.
How do you know if a betting site is safe?
- Sites authorized by the Prizes and Betting Secretariat (SPA), of the Ministry of Treasury, must use the domain “.bet.br”;
- Betting sites adopt a strict registration system, which requires facial recognition to prevent access by those under 18, in addition to sending documents and other checks that identify the bettor;
- They also offer the possibility of establishing limits on financial losses and playing time, as well as mechanisms to detect risky behavior in bettors and send alerts;
- They only allow transactions via Pix and debit from the account of the registered holder. They do not accept credit cards or cryptocurrencies;
- Official platforms offer self-exclusion mechanisms for bettors.
If you have any questions, simply check the list of websites authorized to operate in Brazil on the Ministry of Treasury website.
