Brazil’s football sponsorship market could face a major downturn as illegal betting platforms overtake licensed operators in market share, according to a new report by international gaming consultancy Yield Sec.
Legal operators currently account for 49% of Brazil’s online gambling market, generating around BRL 17.4 billion ($3.17 billion). In contrast, unlicensed platforms now control 51%, worth approximately BRL 18.1 billion.
All Série A football clubs in Brazil have betting sponsors, with nearly 90% featuring operators as main shirt sponsors. However, the rise of unlicensed platforms threatens both sponsorship revenue and sports integrity, as illegal operators are not subject to compliance or monitoring standards.
In the first half of 2025, Brazil recorded 167 licensed betting operators compared to more than 2,300 unregulated ones. Yield Sec described the country’s regulatory rollout as “strong but fragile,” warning that without stricter enforcement, up to 75% of the market could become illegal by 2026.
Authorities have since intensified efforts to block unlicensed sites and payment networks, with the Ministry of Finance’s Secretary of Prizes and Bets working alongside telecom regulator Anatel.
“If you don’t eliminate crime, they’ll find a way to occupy your market,” an analyst from Yield Sec warned.
The report also cautions that if illegal operators’ share exceeds 60%, sponsorship cancellations could rise sharply—potentially wiping out half of current partnerships should the figure hit 75%.
