Brazil’s Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) has ordered the blocking of more than 60,000 websites linked to illegal betting platforms since the country introduced its regulated fixed-odds betting framework. The crackdown combines website restrictions with financial controls. In addition, it includes measures targeting unauthorised advertising.
SPA Targets Illegal Operators’ Finances
SPA Secretary Daniele Cardoso said authorities are targeting unlicensed operators through multiple enforcement measures. Financial institutions and payment providers are required to interrupt transactions and financial flows associated with unauthorised fixed-odds betting platforms.
By disrupting payment channels, authorities aim to identify the companies and financial arrangements behind illegal websites. At the same time, they try to prevent these companies from accessing Brazil’s regulated financial system.
Authorised operators must use the .bet.br domain. Meanwhile, regulators can request the blocking of illegal websites and the removal of related advertising.
Advertising Also Faces Greater Scrutiny
Brazil is also targeting the promotional networks supporting illegal betting. Under CONAR’s revised Annex X, advertising identified as promoting an unauthorised operator can be reported to relevant media outlets, platforms and other distribution channels. Consequently, these channels may then be required to stop its dissemination.
This approach extends enforcement beyond betting websites themselves and places greater responsibility on the wider digital advertising ecosystem.
Regulated Market Continues to Grow
The enforcement campaign comes as Brazil’s regulated betting sector expands. Preliminary SPA figures indicate that authorised operators generated approximately R$37 billion in gross gaming revenue in 2025, after prizes and withdrawable bonuses.
Around R$4 billion was allocated to public-sector beneficiaries through statutory social-allocation mechanisms. As of August, the Ministry of Finance had authorised 85 companies to operate fixed-odds betting in Brazil.
Financial Crime Investigations Intensify
Authorities are also pursuing suspected financial and tax violations. On 28 August, Brazil’s Federal Revenue Service and Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office launched Operation Jogo de Sombras. They executed six search-and-seizure warrants in an investigation involving alleged tax evasion, foreign-exchange violations and money laundering linked to fixed-odds betting.
Investigators said the group under investigation moved more than R$5 billion in 2025. Additionally, 11 tax procedures could potentially recover approximately R$300 million.
Brazil’s approach increasingly combines market regulation, website blocking, payment restrictions and financial investigations to limit illegal betting activity.
