Google has removed an online casino app from its Play Store in Brazil after it was reported for operating without authorization and had already surpassed 500,000 downloads.
The app, identified as Tiger Drop, allowed users to convert in-game prizes into cash, a feature that brings it within the scope of Brazil’s federal betting framework.
Under current rules, operators must obtain authorization from the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) within the Ministry of Finance and comply with capital requirements, AML controls and reporting obligations before offering real money gaming products nationwide.
The removal followed a formal complaint and has renewed scrutiny over how digital marketplaces monitor gambling content. A review cited in Brazilian media identified more than 160 casino-style applications available on Google Play that simulate betting environments, suggesting that enforcement remains reactive rather than preventive.
Platform policies have evolved since Brazil began implementing its federal licensing regime. In mid-2025, Google started allowing authorized betting operators to publish apps in its store, while Apple continues to restrict gambling operator apps in Brazil, creating divergent distribution channels for licensed brands.
The episode also underscores the scale of Brazil’s illegal market. Industry estimates suggest that unlicensed operators account for a significant share of national betting activity, diverting billions of reais in potential tax revenue.
For licensed operators that have met federal compliance standards, the presence of unauthorized apps on mainstream platforms raises competitive and integrity concerns as regulators seek to consolidate oversight of the sector.
In 2025, Brazil’s SPA ordered internet service providers to block more than 2,000 betting domains operating without federal authorization as part of a large-scale enforcement action following the implementation of the national licensing regime
