Brazil Partners with Big Tech Giants to Combat Illegal Online Betting Advertisements

Historic Alliance Formed to Tackle Illegal Gambling Ads

The Brazilian government has officially joined forces with leading technology companies in a significant move to curb the proliferation of online advertisements for unlicensed betting operators. A formal cooperation agreement was signed on July 3, 2025, at the Ministry of Finance headquarters in Brasília, bringing together the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA), under the Ministry of Finance, and the Digital Council of Brazil, an association representing major tech firms. This alliance marks a critical step in Brazil's ongoing efforts to regulate its burgeoning online gambling market and protect its citizens from illicit activities.

Government's Strategic Push for Market Integrity

The partnership is a direct response to the challenge posed by illegal betting sites, which heavily rely on online marketing channels such as search engines, social media, and influencer links to reach consumers. The SPA, responsible for regulating the sector, emphasized that only operators with national authorization and the specific '.bet.br' domain are legally permitted to advertise and operate in Brazil. Any site lacking this extension is deemed illegal. Regis Dudena, president of the SPA, highlighted the importance of this collaboration, stating, 'Since the Secretary of Prizes and Bets started its work, we have intensified our efforts to tackle this intertwined connection with the digital world.'

This initiative is part of a broader regulatory framework that saw Brazil's regulated online betting market officially launch on January 1, 2025, under Law No. 14,790/2023 and SPA/MF Ordinance No. 827/2024. These regulations mandate that only companies incorporated under Brazilian laws and authorized by the SPA can operate and advertise. The government's objectives include:

• Enhanced enforcement against black market operators.
• Stronger safeguards for minors and vulnerable audiences.
• More transparent advertising standards.
• Real-time communication between platforms and regulators.

Big Tech's Commitment to Content Moderation

The Digital Council of Brazil represents a coalition of prominent technology companies, including Google, Meta, TikTok, Amazon, and Kwai. Under the new agreement, these platforms are now obligated to delete online advertisements for unlicensed betting operators upon notification from the Ministry of Finance. A 'dedicated channel' has been established to streamline communication and accelerate content removal procedures.

Felipe França, executive director of the Digital Council, underscored the necessity of this collaborative approach, remarking, 'The agreement with the SPA relies on the understanding that regulating betting, especially in the digital environment, requires not only rules, but also technical cooperation, institutional coordination, and lasting dialogue.' The agreement also encourages technology companies to proactively remove illicit betting content, leveraging the SPA's published list of licensed operators to identify unauthorized entities.

Comprehensive Regulatory Landscape and Enforcement Actions

The partnership with Big Tech is one facet of Brazil's multi-pronged strategy to control the online betting market. Other significant enforcement actions include:

• Website Blocking: The National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) has blocked over 18,000 illegal betting websites since October 2024, with 15,000 domains removed in the first half of 2025 alone.
• Financial Oversight: The SPA, in collaboration with the Central Bank, has disrupted financial flows to unlawful operators, leading to the closure of 255 accounts belonging to individuals and companies tied to unauthorized betting activity between January and June 2025.
• Advertising Restrictions: New rules on gambling advertising, passed by the Senate, impose strict limitations on promotional content, including specific time slots for ads on TV and digital channels, bans on influencers and active athletes, and prohibitions on certain types of messaging.

These measures collectively aim to foster a secure, well-regulated gambling environment, protect consumers from potential harm, and ensure that only authorized operators can reach the Brazilian public. The government continues to develop its Betting Management System (Sigap) to enhance monitoring and oversight of the sector.