Brazilian prosecutors have charged nine men accused of extorting bookmakers and betting shop operators to promote online gambling platforms allegedly linked to a criminal faction in Quixeramobim, in the state of Ceará.
The charges were filed by the Public Prosecutor's Office of the State of Ceará. The defendants are accused of extortion, criminal association and illegal gambling operations.
According to the complaint presented by prosecutor Bruno Barreto, the scheme was structured around three operational groups: A command unit allegedly made up of partners behind the betting platforms coordinated the operation, while a managerial group approached local merchants and intermediaries to persuade them to adopt the platforms.
A third execution group was responsible for intimidating victims who refused to cooperate or failed to follow the instructions issued by the organizers.
Prosecutors say the scheme operated between July and August 2025.
Investigators believe the structure of the operation was developed during meetings held in the city at least since July of the previous year, including gatherings where the group allegedly discussed expanding the betting platforms in the region and standardizing coercive methods to force local operators to comply.
In another separate case, Brazilian authorities arrested an alleged leader of a Jogo do Bicho lottery gang to combat organized crime linked to underground gambling networks across the country.
These cases show the challenges authorities face in addressing illegal betting networks and criminal organizations attempting to exploit Brazil’s growing online gambling sector.
Jogo do bicho is a Brazilian lottery-style operation that started in the late 19th century and remains widespread despite being illegal
