Brazil’s Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) has intensified its responsible advertising and consumer protection work ahead of the World Cup, as Brazil’s regulated fixed-odds betting market faces a major test during one of the busiest periods of the year for sports wagering.
The Ministry of Finance body held a webinar on 9 June with the National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon), bringing together members of the National Consumer Protection System (SNDC), including state and municipal Procons, public defenders, prosecutors and consumer protection organizations.
The session focused on “Challenges and strategies for consumer protection in the fixed-odds betting market in Brazil” and covered cooperation between consumer agencies and betting regulators.
SPA representatives Andiara Maria Braga Maranhão, General Coordinator of Responsible Gaming Monitoring, and Renato Pucci, General Coordinator of Betting Inspection, outlined measures introduced since Brazil launched its regulated market.
The discussion highlighted monitoring initiatives, responsible gambling measures and efforts to protect consumers’ financial and mental wellbeing.
The timing is significant because betting advertising remains under close scrutiny in Brazil. The regulated market officially launched on 1 January 2025 after a lengthy licensing process, with operators now required to comply with rules covering responsible gambling, advertising standards, anti-money laundering controls and consumer protection.
Advertising has become one of the most closely watched aspects of the market's development. Regulators have introduced restrictions aimed at preventing marketing directed at minors and limiting messaging that could encourage irresponsible gambling behaviour.
Consumer advocates and lawmakers have continued to debate whether further advertising restrictions may be needed as the sector matures.
Illegal operators were another focus of the webinar. The SPA said SNDC bodies can help identify irregular practices and share information with regulators, strengthening enforcement efforts across federal, state and municipal authorities.
Enforcement has become a central pillar of Brazil's betting framework. Authorities have blocked tens of thousands of unauthorized betting websites since the market's launch, while regulators have also increased scrutiny of payment providers and platforms operating outside the licensing regime.
The latest initiative forms part of the SPA's broader effort to develop regulatory oversight across the betting ecosystem, covering licensing, supplier regulation, consumer protection and market integrity as Brazil's legal market continues to expand.
Earlier this month, the SPA opened a public hearing on supplier requirements for fixed-odds betting operators, signalling further regulatory development beyond consumer-facing controls and highlighting the regulator's focus on oversight across the entire betting supply chain.
Brazilian authorities have blocked more than 39,000 illegal betting websites as part of ongoing enforcement efforts against unauthorized operators
