TLDR A São Paulo judge rejected lawyer Willer Tomaz’s R$163 million claim against betting platform Blaze over gambling losses. The judge ruled that Tomaz willingly took the risks, including private tables with bets of up to R$500,000. Tomaz’s lawyers said he deposited R$325 million and lost a net R$188.5 million between January 2025 and July 2026. Blaze said the deposit figures ignored withdrawals and credits made during the same period. Brazil’s Federal Police are separately investigating Tomaz for suspected money laundering through betting.
A São Paulo court has rejected a lawyer’s claim for compensation from the betting platform Blaze. Lawyer Willer Tomaz had sued over gambling losses, with the claim valued at about R$163 million.
Judge Guilherme Madeira Dezem, of the 44th Civil Court of São Paulo, ruled that the losses came from risks Tomaz chose to take. Tomaz is also under a separate investigation by Brazil’s Federal Police for suspected money laundering through betting.
Judge Says Tomaz Chose the Risks
In his decision, the judge said Tomaz was not a passive player. He found that the lawyer actively sought out large bets.
According to the ruling, Tomaz asked for and received private betting tables called “Blaze VIP Blackjack.” He also requested repeated increases to his limits until he could bet up to R$500,000 per hand.
The judge wrote that the distress from losing large sums was a direct result of the risk the gambler accepted. He described online gambling as a highly volatile and random activity.
The case drew public attention because of the size of the bets. It also stood out because Tomaz was trying to recover large gambling losses through the courts.
What the Defense Claimed
Tomaz’s lawyers said he deposited R$325 million on Blaze between January 2025 and July 2026. His bets added