On July 5, 2024, the Brazilian National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) issued a notice to Internet service providers in Rio de Janeiro, requiring them Block sports betting and online gaming sites that are not authorized by the Rio de Janeiro Lottery Corporation (Loterj). A judicial decision by the First District Federal Court allowed the action.
Anatel received a list of 115 illegally operating companies from Loterj. Following the court order, Anatel sent an official letter to authorized companies that provide personal mobile services (SMP) and multimedia communication services (SCM) in the state of Rio de Janeiro, requesting these companies to immediately block access to these unauthorized websites.
Loterj checked the legality of 115 sports betting and online gaming websites and found that they did not have approval from the state or federal government of Rio de Janeiro "Legal operating authorization." Therefore, Anatel stated in the notice: "We require immediate compliance with the judicial decision and blocking access to the above-mentioned website URL."
Based on judicial orders and Anatel’s understanding, these 115 websites will be deactivated. Judge Pablo Zúñiga Dourado agreed to Loterj's request in an order authorizing Anatel to facilitate the verification of the legal operational status of the company designated by the city of Rio de Janeiro and to take appropriate measures, if necessary, to suspend fixed-odds lottery betting activities that do not comply with the provisions of the law.
