TLDR Brazil has blocked more than 60,000 illegal betting websites since automated enforcement began in October Illegal betting still makes up 38% to 41% of Brazil’s betting market, down from an earlier estimate The government is working with the financial system to freeze funds tied to illegal operators Brazil’s Federal Court of Accounts called for joint action between the Ministry of Finance, Central Bank, and other agencies Licensed operators must follow rules like biometric checks, traceable payments, and age limits
Brazil’s Ministry of Finance says it will keep targeting illegal betting operators. The goal is to strengthen the country’s regulated betting market.
The Secretariat of Prizes and Betting shared new enforcement steps on August 11. The update came during a hearing at the Chamber of Deputies’ Piracy Acts committee.
Fixed odds betting has been legal in Brazil since 2018. A 2023 law added more tools for state oversight of the industry.
Officials started with manual checks before moving to automated blocking in October. Over 60,000 illegal betting websites have been blocked so far.
Carlos Renato Resende, an undersecretary at the SPA/MF, said no country has fully wiped out illegal betting. He said Brazil faces similar problems in other markets hit by piracy.
Financial Controls Tighten
Authorities are working with Brazil’s financial system to stop money laundering tied to illegal betting. A law on organized crime set up steps for handling these risks.
New financial rules are expected soon. Officials also plan to freeze funds linked to illegal betting companies.
Resende said frozen funds could go toward repaying fraud victims. People who prove ownership of part of the money could be compensated.
If a company cannot prove the funds are legal, the money goes to the state. It would then fund Brazil’s National Public Security Fund.
The plan