SPA list now includes 100 operators for Brazil transition period

Betting operator Megapix has officially joined the ranks of approved operators in Brazil, following a successful court injunction. This milestone brings the total number of operators authorized by the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) to 100, amidst the ongoing transition in the Brazilian betting landscape.

On October 1st, the SPA published its initial list of approved operators, a crucial move aimed at fostering a regulated betting environment. Since then, the list has undergone multiple updates to incorporate new operators that have successfully met the stringent requirements outlined by the SPA.

The inclusion of Megapix came on the heels of a court ruling from the 4th Court of the Federal Regional Court of the 1st Region on October 16. The court granted Megapix an injunction allowing it to continue operations in Brazil, despite its failure to submit a betting license application by the SPA’s deadline of September 30.

Judge Catta Preta Neto emphasized that the SPA initially established a deadline of December 31 for applications. However, in a move to crack down on illegal betting platforms, the timeline was unexpectedly accelerated, prompting concerns among operators who were poised to meet the original deadline. The court ruled in favor of Megapix, allowing the operator to maintain its business activities until the end of December.

In a related development, Esportes da Sorte—a company previously excluded from the approved list due to its involvement in a money laundering and illegal gambling investigation—recently secured reinstatement through its own court order. Other notable additions to the revised SPA list on October 18 include Sportvip Group’s Esportiva Vip, CB Esportes, and Donos da Bola brands.

The approvals for Megapix and Sportvip Group elevate the total count of authorized operators to 100, contributing to a broader network of 223 legal brands operating within Brazil. The SPA has simultaneously instructed the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) to block access to 2,040 websites that failed to achieve approval during this transitional phase.

Zeroumbet Remains Unapproved by SPA

Conversely, Zeroumbet continues to be absent from the SPA’s list of approved operators. This company finds itself entangled in a legal case similar to that of Esportes da Sorte, with its owner—lawyer and influencer Deolane Bezerra—having faced arrest in September as part of ‘Operation Integration.’ This operation targeted various entities for illegal gambling and money laundering activities.

Zeroumbet is among eight operators that have filed legal actions against the SPA for being excluded from the approved list. A preliminary request for an injunction from Zeroumbet seeking approval has reportedly been denied by the courts, leaving the operator in a precarious position.

This ongoing dynamic within Brazil’s betting sector underscores the importance of compliance with regulatory standards and the evolving landscape of legalized betting. Stakeholders in the industry must stay informed and adaptable to successfully navigate these regulatory shifts and capitalize on the opportunities emerging from a more structured betting environment.