The regulated gambling market in Brazil has been in force since 1 January 2025. On Monday (10 February), the Secretariat of Prizes and Gambling of the Ministry of Finance (SPA-MF) launched a public consultation on its regulatory agenda for 2025-2026. 

The first stage of the regulation of fixed odds betting was completed in 2024 and from 1 January 2025, the process of implementation and evaluation of the rules created began. 

To define which topics should be included in the second phase of the regulatory agenda, the SPA announced its proposal with a timetable at a press conference held at the MF headquarters on the Esplanade des Ministres, opening space to listen to the public, industry players, betting consumers, professionals and all stakeholders in society.

As a regulatory body, the performance of the SPA's activities is cyclical and it is always necessary to assess the need for actions, improvements and adjustments within the scope of its competences. For Regis Dudena, Secretary for Prizes and Gambling at the MF, the regulation of the sectors must be observed in practice and can always be improved.

"We have created a framework of core rules, which is quite comprehensive and essential for the implementation of the regulated fixed-odds market, but regulation is a cycle; there are always points to review and improve. We look at the practical effects of the rules we have created on a daily basis to see what needs to be improved," he explained.

He also highlighted the speed of change in this new market and the importance of social participation. "As the gambling market is technological, it is very dynamic, and regulation must always be attentive to the new needs that arise. We want to invite society to express its opinion on the regulatory agenda".

How to participate

You can follow the public consultation through the Participate + Brazil Platform, with 45 days to make written contributions- until 27 March for the experts, sectoral organisations and citizens. 

In addition, on 21 February at 14h there will be an online public hearing on the subject, with registration via electronic form.

On 4 April, the Regulatory Agenda 2025-2026 is due to be published, taking into account the contributions made at the consultation

Topics

In the agenda proposed by the SPA, the first point will be the construction of a national system of excluded and self-excluded gamblers, to inform both people who are prohibited by law from gambling, such as sportsmen and employees of the SPA, for example, and people who, of their own free will, do not want to participate or receive communications or betting advertising. The agenda also includes 13 other items.

Balance

So far, 68 companies have been authorised by the SPA to operate in the regulated fixed odds betting market, as well as seven companies authorised by the courts, by preliminary injunction. In total, the companies have been authorised to hold a total of 153 brands/bets. To date, 349 applications for authorisation have been submitted by companies, resulting in an analysis of more than 45,000 documents by the SPA team. R$2.1 billion in authorisation payments have been collected. 

From October to date, the SPA-MF has requested the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) to block 11,555 illegal websites. In January alone, 75 inspections were carried out, 51 of them related to digital influencers. In February, 22 inspections have already been carried out.

Fabio Macorin, undersecretary for monitoring and inspection at SPA-MF, said the inspection team constantly monitors social networks and notifies those who commit infractions, which can lead to more serious punishments under the law. "We have a specific channel with Meta, which has been a great partner of ours in this inspection activity, allowing us to directly notify profiles that are acting improperly. When we identify criminal offences, we pass them on to the competent authorities so that they can initiate criminal proceedings," he explained.

Also participating in Monday's press conference were the Undersecretary of Prizes and Gambling, Carolina Yumi, the Undersecretary of Sanctioning Action, Raiana Falcão, and the Undersecretary of Authorisations, Daniela Olímpio de Oliveira.