Lawyer Willer Tomaz was Brazil's largest bettor in 2025, according to a Finance Ministry technical note.
The note, from the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA), says Tomaz moved BR5bn ($965m) in bets and withdrew more than BR200m, with most of the volume circulating within the platform as winnings, re-bets or losses.
His combined deposits and withdrawals, about BR350m, were “60% more than Brazil”/ second highest bettor." The note also says operator Blaze failed to meet the oversight and control obligations tied to its authorization.
The Federal Police are investigating the transactions, suspecting they may have concealed the origin of illicit funds. Tomaz's lawyer said the funds are lawful, consistent with his income and declared to the Federal Revenue Service, and that the ministry's figures "do not correspond to reality."
Tomaz is a personal friend of presidential runoff candidate Flávio Bolsonaro, who would also ban gambling if elected.
Separately, Tomaz's lawsuit seeking compensation for losses at online blackjack and roulette led the ministry to open a proceeding against Blaze, which faces fines of up to BR2bn. Court records show 2,145 deposits totaling BR325.3m against BR180.3m returned, a net loss of BR145m. Foggo Entertainment, which holds the Blaze brand rights in Brazil, said it doesn't comment on ongoing proceedings.
National outlets report that Tomaz and Bolsonaro are named in the same Supreme Federal Court case on alleged social security fraud, while Bolsonaro's campaign says the senator is not under investigation.
Recently, Tomaz appeared in another dispute: Loterj, Rio de Janeiro's state lottery regulator, is pursuing legal action to recover millions of reais it says payment processor Rio Pag owes. Tomaz claims he is only the company's lawyer and denies any ownership or management role.
Court documents reportedly contain exchanges between Willer Tomaz and the Blaze concierge responsible for his account, in which the two discussed practices prohibited under Brazil's federal online betting regulations.
A betting holding company owned by Tomaz also paid for Bolsonaro's 2025 flights between Portugal and France, which the candidate attributes to a personal friendship
