Brazil Goes After Illegal Gambling Operators Worth Millions

Brazil is moving swiftly against the illegal gambling sector, with the country announcing further measures against operators that operate in the country without the necessary license.

Police have conducted an operation against a prominent gambling brand that has resulted in the seizure of assets worth BR30 million, or roughly $5 million.

Brazilian Police Go After Illegal Gambling Operations

Police seized vehicles and other financial holdings, as well as properties, with the operation targeting the coastal region of Santa Catarina in what was a carefully planned operation. Based on the investigators’ report, the illegal gambling operation used shell companies to launder money.

Even more importantly, police discovered that at least one currently regulated gambling company (operating under the new legal statutes in the country) was previously tied to illegal and criminal activities.

Police were able to seize various documents and computers that further helped piece together the case and will serve as evidence in dismantling the criminal organization in a court of law. Law enforcement said that ten individual tied to the case had already been identified or, at the very least, the police had a rough idea of their involvement.

President Lula Will Not Have Illegal Gambling or Companies Breaching Rules

The government of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has repeatedly said that gambling operations must be brought into the regulated market, and that any offshore and illegal companies ought to be uprooted once and for all.

President Silva, or Lula as he is known, has threatened the regulated industry that his government could make a U-turn if licensed stakeholders failed to hold their end of the bargain and protect consumers.

In the meantime, police have been busy trying to identify lingering illegal gambling operations and bring those responsible to justice.