Brazil Unveils Initial Performance Analysis of Controlled Gambling Industry
Brazil's Regulated Betting Market: A Progress Report
The Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA-MF) of the Ministry of Finance has released a performance report on Brazil's regulated fixed-odds betting market, providing insightful data on the sector's growth and development.
The report, based on data collected by the General Betting Management System (Sigap), reveals that during the quarter, licensed operators generated a gross gaming revenue (GGR) of BRL 17.4 billion (approximately $3.5 billion). This substantial revenue contributes to the country's economy, with federal tax revenue from the sector totaling BRL 3.8 billion ($765 million).
The report also highlights the active participation of bettors, with 17.7 million Brazilians engaging in betting activities. The 31 to 40 years old age group emerged as the most active, accounting for 27.8% of bettors. Following closely were the 18 to 25 age group, accounting for 22.4% of bettors.
In an effort to advance the establishment of unified betting supervision, a working group has been created. This group, in collaboration with the Central Bank, is supervising financial institutions and payment providers associated with unlicensed betting operations. SPA Secretary Regis Dudena announced that performance reports will now be released regularly to promote transparency and accountability in the supervision of Brazil's newly regulated betting sector.
To address unauthorized betting activity, SPA-MF, in collaboration with the Central Bank, has taken action. Thirteen payment service providers were formally notified, leading to the closure of 45 corporate accounts connected to unauthorized betting activity. Additionally, in the first half of 2025, 24 financial institutions submitted 277 reports, leading to the closure of 255 accounts linked to individuals and businesses involved in illegal betting.
The report also noted a BRL 2.14 billion ($431 million) contribution from operators mandated by Law 14,790/23. However, there is currently no information available on which financial institutions reported to authorities in the first half of 2025 and how many accounts linked to illegal betting were subsequently closed.
The National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) has been active in combating illegal betting activities online. Since October 2024, Anatel has taken down 15,463 illegal betting websites.
In terms of gender demographics, the report identified 71% of bettors as men and 29% as women.
The report's release marks a significant step towards ensuring the transparency and accountability of Brazil's regulated betting sector. With regular performance reports, the public can stay informed about the sector's progress and development. Furthermore, the ongoing efforts to combat unauthorized betting activities demonstrate the commitment to maintaining a fair and regulated market.
