Brazil increases crackdown on illegal gambling with block of 1,800 more sites, bringing the total to 5,200 | Yogonet International

Brazil’s Ministry of Finance has ramped up its efforts to combat illegal gambling in the country by ordering the blocking of 1,812 additional unlicensed gambling domains, bringing the total number of sites blocked to over 5,000.

This latest directive from the Ministry’s Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) follows similar actions taken earlier this year, marking the third such list of blocked sites to be sent to Anatel, Brazil’s national telecommunications agency.

The initial wave of site blockages began on October 11, when Anatel was instructed to block 2,040 gambling sites, including major operators like Boylesports and Tabcorp. Another 1,400 sites were added to the list on October 31, many of which had been operating in the Brazilian market before applying for a license under the new regulatory framework.

The latest batch of blocked domains brings the total number of illegal sites to 5,200. This action comes ahead of the anticipated launch of Brazil’s regulated market in January 2025, set to bring a new legal framework for betting operations.

In a statement, Anatel confirmed that the blocking orders had been sent to around 20,000 telecommunications operators across Brazil. These companies are required to take technical measures to ensure that the illegal sites are inaccessible. Anatel will oversee the implementation of these directives to ensure compliance is carried out efficiently and swiftly.

Yohan Lawrence, head of SPA, noted that only 100 operators and 223 brands had been granted temporary permission to operate in Brazil until the legal framework is fully implemented. Any operators not featured in this approved list are now considered illegal and subject to immediate blocking.

As they move forward with the regulatory process, Brazilian authorities have also shown concerns about the potential social and economic implications of the growing online gambling sector.

In an effort to protect consumers, particularly vulnerable groups, the Federal Supreme Court (STF) recently upheld an emergency measure banning gambling advertisements targeting minors and betting on social welfare funds. The new rules, which were expected to take effect in January 2025, have been enforced immediately following the STF ruling.

The Brazilian government’s measures have gained traction after reports emerged that a significant portion of funds from the Bolsa Família welfare program was being spent on online gambling. In August, data from the Central Bank of Brazil indicated that 20% of funds distributed through this program were being used for gambling.

This prompted further calls for stricter regulations, including a ban on betting bonuses, which was supported by the National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon).

As Brazil’s legal gambling market prepares for its official launch in 2025, the government is working to ensure that only licensed operators will be able to provide services nationwide. The temporary list of approved operators will be closely monitored, with the Ministry of Finance set to finalize its analysis of betting companies’ compliance by December 2024.

Operators that fail to meet legal requirements or violate any regulations, including the Consumer Defense Code and the Child and Adolescent Statute, risk being barred from operating in the country once the legal market officially opens.