Brazil’s Ministry of Finance and the Digital Council of Brazil have formally signed a joint agreement that aims to curb illegal online gambling. This move aligns with the nation’s intensifying efforts to bring order to its online gambling industry, uniting regulators and major tech platforms as they seek to detect and eliminate illegal gambling content.
The End Goal Is a Safe and Sustainable Regulated Market
The collaboration revolves around a shared commitment to address enforcement inefficiencies within Brazil’s fast-growing fixed-odds betting market. The new arrangement will see the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) and Digital Council members, including Google, Meta, TikTok, Amazon, and Kwai, share information, streamline takedown procedures, and coordinate efforts to counter illegal ads and online content.
SPA president Regis Dudena lauded the agreement, describing it as crucial to the regulator’s mission. He noted that collaborating with leading online platforms would be invaluable for effective enforcement, protecting consumers from potentially harmful content. These measures should also help regulated operators to remain competitive, fostering a healthy and responsible gambling environment.
Since the Secretary of Prizes and Bets started its work, we have intensified our efforts to tackle this intertwined connection with the digital world.
Regis Dudena, SPA president
Stamping out illegal gambling has been a priority for Brazil’s current administration. President Lula has repeatedly stated that licensed operators must demonstrate they are honest and responsible or risk undermining the entire regulated market. With mounting consumer complaints against even high-profile operators, the sector must prove its integrity.
Illegal Entities Face Rising Pressure
The new agreement has four primary objectives: enhanced enforcement against black market operators, stronger safeguards for minors, more transparent advertising standards, and real-time communication between platforms and regulators. The Digital Council’s executive director, Felipe França, fully supported these goals, praising the push for improved collaboration.
The agreement with the SPA relies on the understanding that regulating betting, especially in the digital environment, requires not only rules, but also technical cooperation, institutional coordination, and lasting dialogue.
Felipe França, Digital Council executive director
The timing of the deal is significant. Just last month, federal police dismantled part of a massive illegal gambling ring operating under the guise of legitimate gaming. Authorities confiscated about BR30 million (roughly $5 million) worth of assets and seized documents linking a regulated company to past criminal operations.
Joining forces with the Digital Council is a decisive move to reinforce Brazil’s uncompromising stance. Officials will have the authority to rapidly report and take down illegal gambling content flagged by the government or third-party observers. However, as the nation’s gambling market continues to grow, the SPA will remain hard-pressed to keep pace with both innovation and criminal ingenuity.