The Civil Police of São Paulo have carried out an operation in São José do Rio Preto, a city in the state, aimed at dismantling electronic gambling networks.
National authorities say such activities have become increasingly prevalent in Brazil's countryside.
The action, named "Tiger Hunting," focused on illegal operators that offer slot games such as Jogo do Tigrinho, which continue to spread on social media despite heightened scrutiny.
Beyond the gambling activity itself, investigators are also examining alleged crimes including money laundering, asset concealment and participation in organised criminal groups.
Five search and seizure warrants were executed, covering luxury condominiums in São José do Rio Preto, a rural property in the nearby municipality of Ipiguá and other sites linked to the suspects.
Police confiscated a car, a jet ski, mobile phones and computers, all of which will undergo forensic review. One individual was charged with illegal firearm possession during the operation.
In a more unusual outcome, a capuchin monkey was also rescued from captivity. The animal was placed under the care of the national Environmental Police.
The raids were coordinated by Brazil's Specialized Sector for Combating Corruption, Organized Crime and Money Laundering of the local Police Department for Investigations.
The case continues under judicial secrecy but authorities have stressed that electronic gambling rings frequently overlap with broader financial and criminal networks, intensifying the need for ongoing enforcement.
Fortune Tiger, a famous PGSoft game, is not illegal in itself. The game is a normal online slot like any other. It has been marketed by operators and influencers en masse, however, to create the illusion of fake wins, deceiving players across Brazil
