Brazil betting regulator lays out plans for 2025-2026 agenda
Furthering Online Gambling Regulation: The Role of Brazil’s Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA)
On February 10, 2023, the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) in Brazil initiated a vital public consultation aimed at refining its online gambling regulations. During a well-attended press conference held at its Brasília headquarters, the SPA detailed its objectives for the upcoming 2025-2026 regulatory biennium and called upon key industry stakeholders to contribute their insights on the existing regulatory framework.
This public consultation arrives just six weeks after the formal launch of Brazil’s legal betting market, highlighting the SPA’s commitment to fostering an inclusive regulatory environment. It invites participation from players, operators, and suppliers, assuring a comprehensive review of the sector’s current landscape.
Regis Dudena, the SPA’s leader, emphasized the necessity for ongoing dialogue and collaboration, stating that the regulatory environment must evolve in tandem with the dynamic nature of the gambling industry. This proactive approach aims to safeguard player interests and enhance the overall integrity of the market.
Interested stakeholders can register their contributions over the next 45 days on the government’s Participa + Brazil platform, which will remain open until March 27, 2023. Additionally, an online public hearing is scheduled for February 21, 2023, providing another avenue for stakeholder engagement.
“We have crafted a robust initial framework to govern the regulated fixed-odds betting market; however, we recognize that regulation is an ongoing cycle that necessitates continual review and enhancement,” Dudena articulated during the press conference. “We are diligently observing the real-world implications of our established rules to identify areas for improvement.”
As the gambling sector becomes increasingly influenced by technological innovation, the SPA is committed to adapting its regulatory stance to address emerging needs and challenges. This public invitation for feedback serves as a call to action for society to participate actively in shaping the regulatory agenda.
The SPA’s 2025-2026 Regulatory Roadmap
On April 4, 2023, the SPA plans to release its full regulatory agenda for 2025-2026, which will be informed by insights gleaned from the ongoing public consultation. The agenda’s first quarter, which encompasses Q2 2025, will focus on establishing a national system for self-excluded bettors and developing regulations for certifying online gaming suppliers, as well as outlining mechanisms for compensating image rights.
Subsequently, Q3 2025 will include evaluations of commercial promotions and instant lottery regulations, while Q4 will address regulatory oversight for fixed-odds betting suppliers. Additionally, this period will involve streamlining and enhancing inspection processes.
Looking ahead to 2026, the SPA will assess its strategies for authorizing and sanctioning operators, with a particular focus on developing frameworks for gambling addiction care.
The SPA’s key objectives behind its regulatory agenda include:
- Continuous improvement of regulatory measures
- Fostering accountability and transparency within the sector
- Ensuring predictability and legal certainty for operators
- Mitigating and preventing the adverse impacts of gambling
- Promoting responsible gambling practices
- Charting a comprehensive path for medium and long-term regulatory strategies
Achievements of the SPA Thus Far
Despite encountering some challenges with licensing and certification processes, the industry’s assessment of the SPA’s efforts has generally been favorable. As of now, the SPA has successfully licensed 68 companies and 153 brands for operations within Brazil, with an additional seven granted authorization by court order. To date, the SPA has reviewed 349 license applications and analyzed over 45,000 documents, yielding approximately BRL 2.1 billion (£292.8 million/€350.8 million/$361.9 million) in collected licensing fees.
Confronting the ongoing concerns surrounding Brazil’s black market, the SPA has requested that the telecommunications regulator, Anatel, block access to 11,555 illegal gambling websites.
In January 2023, the SPA conducted 75 inspections, with an additional 22 performed thus far in February. Fabio Macorin, undersecretary of the SPA’s monitoring and inspection department, noted that collaboration with major technology companies, including Meta, plays a crucial role in curbing operations of illegal sites and managing their promotion on social media platforms.
“Meta has proven to be an invaluable partner in our inspection initiatives, allowing us to communicate directly about profiles that are engaged in unlawful activities,” Macorin shared. “When we identify violations of the law, we promptly forward the information to the appropriate authorities to pursue criminal investigations.”
Through these efforts, the SPA is not only establishing a robust regulatory framework but is also demonstrating a commitment to creating a secure and fair gambling environment in Brazil—ultimately fostering a sustainable and responsible betting culture for all stakeholders involved.
