More than five million Brazilians are currently unable to access authorised betting platforms through self-exclusion or government-imposed restrictions, according to Brazil’s Ministry of Finance. This figure represents approximately 12.5% of the 40 million active users registered in the government’s Sistema de Gestão de Apostas (SIGAP).
Government Restrictions Expand
Finance Minister Dario Durigan said the measures form part of a broader strategy to discourage excessive betting and protect household finances. In addition, around 800,000 people lost access to betting after they entered government debt-renegotiation programmes.
Meanwhile, approximately three million beneficiaries of Bolsa Família and the Benefício de Prestação Continuada (BPC) cannot access authorised betting platforms. The Ministry said Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court ordered these restrictions.
Furthermore, the remaining 1.2 million users voluntarily excluded themselves through the Centralised Self-Exclusion Platform, which the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) launched in December 2025.
Self-Exclusion Driven by Gambling Concerns
Furthermore, the remaining 1.2 million users voluntarily excluded themselves through the Centralised Self-Exclusion Platform, which the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) launched in December 2025.
Most users selected indefinite exclusion, representing 66.95% of requests, while 21.6% chose a one-year exclusion period.
Among those restricted through debt-related programmes, 794,181 people were connected to the government’s arrears programme. Meanwhile, another 33,123 were associated with the federal student-financing programme Fies.
Brazil Strengthens Responsible Betting Measures
The government has also introduced free educational courses through the self-exclusion platform covering the behavioural and financial risks associated with betting, including over-indebtedness. A mental health self-assessment tool is also available. This tool provides information on gambling-related risks and directs users toward services within Brazil’s public healthcare system.
The five-million figure highlights Brazil’s increasingly restrictive approach to online betting. Authorities are combining self-exclusion, social protection measures and debt-related restrictions in order to limit access among vulnerable groups.
At the same time, the government continues to strengthen regulatory enforcement against betting operators that fail to meet the requirements of Brazil’s regulated market.
