Brazil: Justice Ministry launches bettor rights campaign

Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security has launched a public awareness campaign promoting consumer rights in online betting, describing information, transparency and protection as central pillars of Brazil’s regulated gambling market.

The campaign, published across the Ministry’s official channels, states that “betting online also involves information, transparency and protection.”

According to the Ministry, the initiative aims to strengthen user protection in the digital environment while expanding efforts to combat abusive practices within the online betting sector, adding to recent measures such as the Government's responsible gaming push notification on WhatsApp.

“The new agreement between the Ministry of Justice and Public Security and the Ministry of Finance strengthens user protection in the digital environment and expands the fight against abusive practices in the online betting market,” the Ministry said in a statement.

Under the partnership, the two ministries will work together to identify and combat manipulative online design techniques, known as “dark patterns,” while also developing research, improving regulation and strengthening oversight of the sector.

The campaign also highlights measures covering responsible advertising, platform transparency, consumer protection and the classification of risks associated with problematic gambling. 

In addition, the Government said it will develop research projects, educational courses and awareness campaigns focused on users’ rights, betting risks and consumer protection mechanisms.

Earlier this month, the Federal Government announced new measures allowing authorities to freeze assets linked to unauthorized operators before redirecting confiscated funds to the National Public Security Fund.

Justice Minister Wellington César Lima e Silva has also warned that an estimated 25.2 million Brazilians continue to use illegal betting platforms despite the country’s regulated market.