The Brazilian Ministry of Finance has ordered the government telecommunications agency Anatel to block an additional 1,812 illegal gambling domains, bringing the total number of blocked sites to over 5,000.
This is the third list of domain names sent by the Secretariat of Awards and Betting (SPA) of the Ministry of Finance to Anatel, whose task is to shut down and block these sites within Brazil.
The first list of blocked operators, issued on October 11, contained 2,040 websites, including well-known companies such as Boylesports and Tabcorp, while the second list released on October 31 added another 1,400 domains.
It includes two companies that applied for a gambling license before the regulatory deadline in October and had been active in the market before the license application was submitted.
By January 1, 2025, when the legal market in Brazil is set to launch, the third list will bring the total number of blocked sites to 5,200.
This action is part of the government's measures to combat illegal and unlicensed gambling operators, as the industry faces strong opposition from various government officials and the private sector.
The blocking order has been sent to about 20,000 internet coverage providers in Brazil. Anatel stated in a statement today (November 20) that the agency is responsible for monitoring and ensuring that the block is implemented "effectively and promptly."
Before the launch of the legal market, only 100 operators and 223 brands have been approved by SPA to continue operations. Currently, all other domains are considered illegal and face the risk of being blocked.
Companies not initially listed have announced the list of approved operators and updated it on October 21.
What other measures have been taken to protect Brazilian players?
In addition to blocking websites, the Brazilian government has taken other measures to protect players from gambling harm, as the legal market will open in a few weeks.
After a two-day hearing at the Supreme Federal Court (STF) last week, the court supported the emergency measures of Minister Luis Fux, prohibiting social welfare betting and gambling advertising targeting minors.
These measures were originally scheduled to be implemented on January 1, 2025, but the court's ruling means they have been adopted immediately.
Earlier this week, the National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon) called for a ban on all marketing activities, including betting bonuses, and issued a preliminary order requiring the measure to be implemented as soon as possible.
The Brazilian gambling industry faces increasing pressure
New measures have emerged as concerns about the impact of the gambling industry on the Brazilian public intensify.
After the National Confederation of Goods, Services, and Tourism (SAFT), Brazil's third-largest union, called for Brazil's gambling laws to be considered unconstitutional, the STF held a hearing.
Following the disclosure by the Central Bank of Brazil that 20% of the funds from the August Bolsa Família program were used for online gambling, the Central Bank of Brazil ordered a ban on using social welfare for gambling.
The measure has received support from major members and institutions within the industry, including the National Association of Gambling and Lotteries (ANJL), which called the action "positive and necessary."
