The regulation of sports betting and online gaming is increasingly advancing in Brazil. From January 2025, only bookmakers regularized with the Ministry of Treasury will be able to operate in Brazil.
The Federal Government is implementing a series of measures to block access to illegal betting sites. These actions are being developed together with digital platforms, the Central Bank and internet providers.
Measures against illegal websites after betting regulation
The Prizes and Betting Secretariat, created this year by the Ministry of Finance, is leading initiatives to limit the reach of unauthorized betting sites. However, the legalization of betting in Brazil was initially approved in 2018, but without effective control.
Among the ongoing actions are agreements with digital platforms, such as Google, Meta and Kwai, to ensure that unregulated websites become invisible.
The goal is to establish an agreement that allows these platforms to remove ads from illegal websites, reinforcing the commitment to a safer and more transparent betting environment.
Support from the Central Bank and identification of legal bookamkers
Another strategy involves collaborating with the Central Bank to track and block financial transactions related to illegal betting sites, especially those hosted outside Brazil.
Currently, these sites operate without difficulties in the country, but the government will prohibit their operations from January 2025. The government intends to sign an agreement with the Central Bank by the end of the year to reinforce this measure.
The government is also discussing with telecommunications companies the possibility of taking down illegal website addresses directly, without the need for judicial intervention. Although this option is being considered, the priority is to strengthen the understanding that there is administrative competence to block these sites.
To differentiate legal sites from illegal ones, bookmakers that obtain regulation will receive the domain “bet.br”. This domain will serve as an official marker, allowing bettors to easily identify authorized houses.
In addition, educational campaigns will be carried out to guide the public on the importance of choosing regulated betting houses, which offer greater security for players’ mental and financial health.
Upcoming challenges and expectations
Prizes and Betting Secretary, Regis Dudena, recognizes that the challenge is great, mainly due to the dynamic and expansive nature of the digital environment, where malicious websites can be quickly replicated.
However, he states that the government is committed to using all available mechanisms to ensure that only authorized websites can operate legally from 2025.
“In fact, they are fraudulent mechanisms that are equivalent to a mask on an e-commerce website, which you click on, pay and you will never receive. So it has nothing to do with betting, it’s just a scam”, says Dudena.
The legislation, which began to be drafted at the end of Jair Bolsonaro’s government, was consolidated by the current administration with the publication of ten specific ordinances to regulate the sector.
In summary, the deadline for accreditation of companies interested in operating legally in Brazil ended this Tuesday (20), with 113 requests. Each company must pay a grant of R$30 million, which represents initial revenue of up to R$3 billion for the government.
