In a friendly match this Friday (10), Brazil beat South Korea 5-0. The game focused on preparations for the 2026 World Cup. In addition to the meeting between two teams at different times on the field, the confrontation symbolizes the clash between opposing realities also in the sports betting market.
While Brazil is experiencing full expansion in a newly regulated landscape, Korea is limited by strict laws that encourage clandestine activity.
In Brazil, sports betting was regulated in January 2025. In the first half of the year alone, the Federal Government collected more than R$4 billion in taxes. In addition, companies in the sector transferred approximately R$773 million to sports entities.
According to Alex Rose, CEO of InPlaySoft, an international technology company that creates and manages sports betting platforms, the sector’s impact in Brazil is positive.
“Since the regulation of sports betting, the sector has positively impacted the country by creating thousands of jobs, transferring billions of reais in taxes, and substantial investments in the sports sector. This is in addition to direct support for sports, such as sponsoring all clubs in the Brazilian Championship’s Série A,” he comments.
Bernardo Cavalcanti Freire, legal consultant for the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) and partner at Betlaw, a law firm specializing in sportsbooks emphasizes the importance of constant oversight.
“The government’s firm action is essential to enable the fight against illegal activities, which include not only the sportsbooks that operate unlicensed betting, but all those who provide services to such companies – especially payment methods and financial institutions,” the lawyer emphasizes.
Betting market in Korea is strongly influenced by illegality
The situation is completely different in South Korea. Despite the growing popularity of sports betting, the country has maintained severe restrictions since 2013, following rising debt and social problems linked to gambling.
Currently, only one company is authorized to operate legally, both in physical stores and in the digital environment.
Even so, the illegal market is expanding rapidly. According to data published in The Korea Times, JoongAng Daily, and Casino Beats, the number of illegal online bets nearly tripled between 2019 and 2023, jumping from around 13,000 to over 39,000.
In the same period, illegal activity represented more than 80% of all gambling activities monitored by authorities.
The economic impact is also significant. It is estimated that the total volume of illegal gambling in the last five years has exceeded 102 trillion won (approximately US$76 billion).
With estimates pointing to 36 million active accounts by 2026, Brazil is on its way to consolidating its position as one of the largest regulated markets in the world.
In Korea, the lack of legal alternatives has led to the growth of clandestine international networks, a contrast that shows that, in the world of betting, off-field strategy is as crucial as on-field performance.
On the field
Brazil easily beat South Korea on Friday morning (10), in Seoul, by a score of 5 x 0. The goals were scored by
Next Tuesday (14), Brazil takes to the field again, this time against Japan, in Tokyo.uio.
