SPA publishes new regulatory agenda for 2025-26 biennium
The Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) in Brazil has outlined its regulatory agenda for the 2025-26 biennium, placing a significant emphasis on the promotion of responsible gambling.
Following the launch of Brazil’s legal online gambling market on January 1, 2025, the SPA announced a public consultation to evaluate the current regulatory framework and identify potential enhancements. This consultation concluded on March 27, receiving approximately 200 contributions from industry stakeholders. The insights gathered have informed the SPA’s updated regulatory agenda, now codified in Normative Ordinance No. 817.
Article 2 of the ordinance delineates the key objectives of the new agenda, highlighting the promotion of responsible gambling and addiction prevention within a balanced, transparent regulatory framework.
Starting from June 30, the SPA plans to release drafts of new regulations at the end of each quarter, inviting cross-industry collaboration throughout the regulatory process.
Key Components of the SPA’s Regulatory Agenda
Central to the SPA’s 2025-26 regulatory agenda is the initiative to develop and implement a national self-exclusion platform. This innovative solution aims to empower players to disengage from gambling activities, underscoring the sector’s commitment to responsible gambling and addiction prevention. The SPA has characterized this initiative as the “most important” item on their agenda, with anticipated minutes regarding this development to be published in Q2.
Additionally, the SPA is focused on optimizing the model for allocating resources from betting companies to sporting entities, including athletes and clubs, in relation to sponsorship and advertising agreements. This effort aims to strengthen partnerships between betting operators and the sports industry, promoting mutual growth and visibility.
To aid consumers, the SPA intends to establish a distinct seal for licensed betting operators, facilitating the identification of compliant products while protecting bettors from unregulated offerings.
In line with its commitment to responsible gambling, the SPA will enhance guidelines designed to support vulnerable bettors and their families, aiming to mitigate the adverse effects of problem gambling.
Moreover, the SPA plans to overhaul its advertising regulations in Q3 2025, responding to recent criticism and the introduction of various bills aimed at further restricting gambling advertising in legislative discussions.
The regulatory agenda also includes a comprehensive review of regulations governing the Exclusive Instant Lottery. The SPA aims to consolidate the overall betting ecosystem in Brazil by regulating economic transactions between operators and suppliers. This strategic move is essential for combating the unauthorized black market, which poses significant challenges to the legal framework.
As 2025 draws to a close, the SPA is set to establish a national betting system that aligns state laws more closely with federal regulations. Recently, the SPA convened state politicians at the Ministry of Finance’s headquarters to foster discussions focused on achieving greater regulatory coherence across jurisdictions.
Future Outlook for 2026
The SPA is poised to further refine its regulatory framework as it approaches the one-year anniversary of legalized gambling in Brazil. In Q1 2026, the SPA aims to enhance its inspection procedures, ensuring robust oversight and compliance of operators within the market.
Thus far, the licensing process in Brazil has encountered some challenges. The SPA plans to address these issues by streamlining the authorization process based on insights gained during the initial licensing cycle. Part of the delays can be attributed to the limited number of technical certification entities—only six are recognized by the SPA—leading to further evaluation of these certification procedures in Q2 2026.
Finally, the SPA will conduct a thorough review of sanctions imposed on fixed-odds betting operators that contravene regulatory regulations in Q4 2026. Recently, the regulator suspended the licenses of four operators for failing to provide essential documentation. Pixbet has since been reinstated with a full license, whereas the other three remain suspended until their certifications are finalized.
As Brazil continues to evolve its gambling landscape, the SPA’s proactive regulatory agenda is designed to create a secure, transparent, and responsible environment for all stakeholders involved.
