Brazil’s regulated betting sector has rallied behind the Federal Government’s latest efforts to combat illegal gambling, with two of the industry’s leading trade associations publicly endorsing new enforcement measures announced recently.
The Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming (IBJR) and the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) both praised the publication of Decree No. 13,033/2026 and Ordinance No. 1,766/2026, which expand the Government’s ability to target the financial and commercial infrastructure supporting unauthorized operators.
The new rules allow authorities to freeze funds linked to illegal betting operations and introduce potential liability for financial institutions, payment companies, advertisers and influencers that continue supporting unlicensed platforms.
Carlos Lima, President of the IBJR, described the measures as an important step towards weakening Brazil’s illegal market, which the organization says continues to divert billions of reais away from regulated operators and public coffers.
According to figures cited by the institute, the illegal market generates around BR40bn ($7.6bn) annually while depriving the Government of an estimated BR10.8bn in tax revenue each year.
“Initiatives like this represent a crucial step forward in the fight against illegality,” he stated.
“In addition to strengthening public revenue, the measure directly contributes to increasing the safety of bettors, protecting operators who act in accordance with the law, and promoting the integrity and sustainability of the entire sector in the country – which operates under one of the most modern regulations in the world.”
ANJL President Plínio Lemos Jorge said the figures demonstrate the scale of the challenge still facing regulators.
“The clandestine betting industry exposes consumers to risks, evades taxes and creates unfair competition for companies that comply with Brazilian regulatory requirements,” he said.
The groups argue that cutting off those support systems will be essential if the regulated market is to continue growing while reducing the influence of unauthorized operators.
Justice Minister Wellington César Lima e Silva recently revealed that around 25.2 million Brazilians are still using unauthorized betting platforms, despite more than 40,000 websites having already been blocked
