Flávio Bolsonaro, who lost Brazil’s Presidential Election, has arrived in the US shortly after Brazilian authorities revoked his passports.
Following a Supreme Court order requiring him to surrender his passports amid a money-laundering investigation reportedly linked to betting platforms, Bolsonaro left Brazil with his family and was reportedly granted a US visa.
Indeed, the US State Department confirmed to the BBC that it would issue visas to Bolsonaro and his family.
President Donald Trump expressed support for Bolsonaro’s arrival in the US, saying of the family: “I think they're fine people.” Trump has questioned the fairness of Brazil’s election without providing evidence while incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva condemned Bolsonaro’s departure.
The investigation into Bolsonaro gained momentum in October including a federal probe into suspected fraud involving unauthorized deductions from pension payments. Investigators are also examining possible money laundering linked to betting platforms and financial transactions involving Brazilian lawyer Willer Tomaz, who is himself under investigation over suspected financial crimes.
Investigators are seeking to reconstruct a network of financial relationships involving companies linked to Tomaz, activities connected to sports betting and holding companies registered abroad.
According to reports, investigators found evidence suggesting Bolsonaro had access to bank accounts belonging to Alcazar Holdings, a company owned by Tomaz. Both men deny having a joint account or any financial ties. Furthermore, Tomaz's defence has disputed the account-access claim and said Bolsonaro never moved money through his accounts.
Separately, Brazilian authorities have opened an investigation into possible illegal foreign financing of Bolsonaro’s presidential campaign, including alleged links to the Rockbridge Network, a donor group co-founded by US Vice President JD Vance. Rockbridge denies involvement.
With Lula securing another term, Brazil’s betting ban still has to survive Congress and the courts. For operators, the key question is whether prohibition will become permanent. Read Global Gaming Insider’s in-depth analysis for more insight.
A betting holding company owned by Tomaz allegedly paid for Bolsonaro's 2025 flights between Portugal and France, which the candidate attributes to a personal friendship
