Brazil Approves First 71 Online Gambling Licenses for 2025 Market

Brazil is taking significant strides toward the official launch of its regulated online gambling market on January 1, 2025, by approving its first batch of 71 operators. This development was confirmed by Regis Dudena, the Secretary of Prizes and Bets at the Ministry of Finance (SPA), during a meeting with the Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPI).

Dudena highlighted that these companies, already notified by the Ministry, have a 30-day window to meet the final regulatory requirements. Out of the 71, 16 operators have already paid the licensing fee, amounting to a total of R$480 million (US$81.1 million). The licensing fees are crucial, as only those who fulfill this financial obligation will receive official authorization to operate in Brazil.

The SPA has established a rigorous four-stage review process for licensing applicants. The evaluation ensures that operators adhere to critical standards, including:

• Robust security protocols
• Efficient payment processing systems
• Compliance with anti-money laundering (AML) measures
• Adherence to game regulations
• Implementation of responsible gambling practices

These steps are designed to maintain a transparent and secure gambling market, benefiting both operators and players while reducing potential risks.

In parallel with the licensing process, Brazil has intensified its efforts to eliminate illegal gambling. In collaboration with the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel), SPA has successfully blocked over 5,200 illegal gambling sites since October 11, 2023.

Dudena emphasized the importance of this partnership, stating: “Anatel has already been a very relevant partner since we intensified the fight against illegality. Now, with the ACT, this relationship will take place in an even more fluid and efficient way, which is a gain for the country in the challenge of remedying the betting sector from the presence of opportunistic and malicious groups.”

Carlos Baigorri, President of Anatel, added: “The agreement will allow an agile flow for the processing of blocks. We know that it is a challenging task to prevent Brazilians from accessing illegal betting sites, and cooperation is essential for blocks to be carried out in the shortest possible time by telecommunications service operators.”

This aggressive approach demonstrates Brazil’s commitment to fostering a lawful and regulated market, ensuring fair competition and protecting players from unregulated operators.

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While the names of the 71 approved operators have not yet been disclosed, the Brazilian Ministry of Finance’s website lists applicants such as Kaizen Gaming, Betfair, and Meridian Gaming.

Adding to the momentum, TaDa Gaming recently confirmed its certification from Gaming Associates (GA) Lab, signifying its readiness for a potential Brazilian launch. This follows its successful entry into the Italian market through a partnership with Pixelo, showcasing its commitment to global expansion.

Source:

“Brazil begins finalising first 71 online gambling applications ahead of regulated market launch“, gamblinginsider.com, December 12, 2024.