Location
Subscribe to our newsletter
In 2025, Brazil's betting market regulation entered a new phase in its relationship with sports betting and online gaming. After years of uncertainty, Law No. 14,790/2023 (December 2023) set the legal framework for fixed-odds betting to operate under more explicit rules for authorization, oversight, and taxation.
Early indicators point to strong consumer demand and significant tax collection. At the same time, social concerns and political scrutiny have quickly emerged as defining issues that could shape how sustainable the regulated framework becomes.
The new framework strengthened licensing and compliance requirements, assigning the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) under the Ministry of Finance as the sector’s primary authority.
Operators seeking to enter Brazil must align with regulatory expectations. Commonly cited requirements and expectations include:
A five-year authorization model with an authorization fee up to R$30 million (depending on the authorization terms and conditions);
Demonstrating operational capacity in line with regulatory oversight, including customer service and complaint-handling;
Meeting compliance obligations regarding AML/CFT, responsible gambling, and integrity controls as required by regulation.
In the lead-up to regulated operations, enforcement actions against unauthorized sites were publicly reported as part of the transition to a more controlled environment.
From January 1, 2025, the framework has intended that only authorized operators may legally offer fixed-odds betting, strengthening consumer protection and enabling more direct oversight.
The first months of regulated operation highlighted the sector’s scale – and its fiscal significance. Reporting based on Receita Federal data indicates that federal tax collection from gambling and betting activities reached about R$3.797 billion from January to June 2025, with May (R$814 million) and June (R$764 million) among the strongest months.
This growth has also supported wider commercial activity across related industries such as advertising, media inventory, and sports sponsorship, as licensed operators compete for visibility and customer acquisition.
Rapid expansion has amplified concerns about consumer harm and enforcement. Policymakers and regulators have focused attention on:
Excessive gambling behavior and addiction risk;
Household indebtedness and financial vulnerability;
The influence of advertising and public figures in normalizing high-frequency betting.
In 2025, these issues were pushed further into the mainstream by the Senate’s “CPI das Bets.” Notably, the CPI’s final report was rejected, and the commission ended without approved measures – yet the debate it sparked continues to influence proposals for tighter controls.
Operators have responded by reinforcing compliance teams, expanding responsible gambling initiatives, and improving customer support – both to meet regulatory expectations and to build trust. These measures align with the law’s emphasis on internal controls for AML/CFT, responsible gambling, and integrity.
At the same time, Brazil’s ecosystem is evolving. The market is increasingly shaped by a mix of international operators and domestic brands, raising competition not only on pricing and promotions, but also on local relevance, distribution, and trust.
Despite positive early figures, uncertainty remains. Shifts in enforcement priorities and recurring proposals for new rules can weaken predictability – one of the key conditions for long-term investment and responsible sector consolidation.
Brazil’s first steps in regulation reveal a complex balance:
Substantial tax revenues and high engagement on one side;
Rising concerns about problem gambling, advertising influence, and enforcement consistency, on the other hand.
Law No. 14,790/2023 marked a turning point for Brazil. Lasting regulatory success will depend on effective monitoring, dynamic public policy, and continuous adaptation – ensuring the balance between economic benefits and consumer protection holds over time. Whether this becomes a lasting milestone will depend on consistent oversight, consumer protection, and regulatory stability.
