The Secretary of Awards and Betting of the Ministry of Finance authorized 66 companies to operate in the Brazilian betting sector. In total, R$ 2.01 billion were paid in grants to the federal government. According to the Ministry, the companies were selected after a rigorous authorization process that ensured compliance with technical and financial requirements, which can bring greater legal security. Experts in gaming and betting law explain the new rules and how operators and consumers should pay attention to the market.
Since January 1st, the rules regulating the fixed quota online betting market have been in effect. On the last day of December, authorization ordinances were published for 66 companies to operate in the country in the lottery betting modality of fixed quota.
The 66 companies were authorized by the Secretary of Awards and Betting, from the Ministry of Finance. In total, R$ 2.01 billion were paid in grants to the federal government. According to the Ministry, the companies were selected after a rigorous authorization process that ensured compliance with technical and financial requirements.
According to the rules, betting operators can only operate in Brazil with authorization from the Secretary of Awards and Betting linked to the Ministry of Finance.
The partner at Jantalia Lawyers and expert in Gaming Law, Fabiano Jantalia, believes that the publication of the first authorization ordinances for betting companies to operate in Brazil represents a historical milestone for the country. According to him, the most important change is the provision that these companies must operate from Brazil.
For Jantalia, the provision ensures greater security for consumers, as well as ensures compliance with duties by the operators.
“This provides more security, because if there is a need for any judicial action or even an inspection action from the ministry, the judicial and administrative authorities will have a physical address to seek information, to seek elements for their investigation or for their judicial process. This greatly facilitates the ability of Brazilian institutions to ensure compliance with the duties of these companies. It also defends the rights of betting consumers”, he states.
Changes to the regulated market
Among the main measures that came into effect in 2025, are the prohibition of credit for betting and entry bonuses. In addition, there is now a requirement for identification of bettors by CPF and facial recognition.
The purpose of these, among other actions, is to create a safer environment for users, reinforcing the entertainment aspect. Another novelty is that companies must provide a Customer Service (SAC), which will receive complaints, records, suggestions, etc.
Operators must also be constituted according to Brazilian legislation and comply with norms related to the prevention of money laundering, as well as financial security and responsible gaming practices.
Companies that do not comply with the rules will not be able to operate in Brazil. In addition, their operations will be terminated.
Impacts for consumers
The partner at Ambiel Lawyers and expert in Sports Law and Responsible Gaming, Felipe Crisafulli, points out that “the biggest impact that regulation brings to consumers is from a legal standpoint, it is legal security”.
According to Crisafulli, with the regulation, consumers will be able to use all the legal means that the Brazilian legal system offers when their rights are violated or threatened with injury.
“Now, the Brazilian consumer will be able to rely, for example, on Procon, and it is also mandatory that the sites have an ombudsman section, online contact, to resolve any problems, doubts or any similar situation”, points out Felipe Crisafulli.
In addition, the expert points out that the regulation also brings protection to the consumer regarding gambling addiction.
“Especially with regard to ludopathy, which is the pathological addiction to gambling, and also to over-indebtedness, in order to prevent the consumer, the user, the bettor, from entering an endless spiral and never being able to stop betting and thus end up incurring immeasurable debt”, highlights Crisafulli.
“Now, the sites will have to provide support to the consumer in relation to preventing them from becoming a compulsive, sick gambler, addicted to gambling and they will also need to have the option of self-exclusion or temporary suspension of the bettor's profile”, he adds.
Companies
Fabiano Jantalia highlights that, with the new rules in force, the authorized companies will need to have their systems duly homologated and certified by technical entities.
“This puts these systems to the test against fraud, against manipulations and ensures that they meet the requirements established by the ministry. They must also be interconnected to SIGAP, which is the betting management system of the Ministry of Finance”, mentions Jantalia.
Source: Brasil 61
