The government is preparing restrictions to try to prevent people from becoming addicted and compulsive in sports betting and online games such as Fortune Tiger, known as the “tigrinho game”. The Ministry of Finance must complete the definition of rules for betting platforms and online betting games within the next 15 days. The rules will come into force in January.
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Since 2018
These digital gambling games have proliferated in Brazil since a 2018 law legalized them, without defining clear rules. Online slots are part of the business model of these platforms, which are generally based in countries with permissive legislation such as Malta and Curaçao. The Ministry of Finance then supported a law approved by the National Congress in December last year to regulate this market, with the expectation of raising to R$12 billion per year.
New Rules
From 2025 onwards, the Prizes and Betting Secretariat (SPA) will block domains of betting platforms that are not hosted in Brazil, prohibit unregistered websites from advertising, and work with the Central Bank to prevent the outflow of financial resources from irregular bets. This last measure aims to prevent money laundering and currency evasion.
The legislation will also impose responsible advertising guidelines, with an explicit indication that the game is restricted to those over 18 years of age. According to the rules, the creators and celebrities who take part in these advertisements will have legal liability, and the indication of betting as a form of extra income or alternative to work will be prohibited.
Betting Limits
Each platform will be required to monitor the behavior of bettors and identify whether there is compatibility with the person’s profile. Once you see an evolution that is different from your profile, the operator himself will be forced to issue some kind of warning at first and, eventually, blockages.
Recent Case
A 12-year-old teenager punched his mother in the mouth in Patos de Minas, Alto Paranaíba. The boy attacked the woman after she complained to him about a R$2,000 purchase on a credit card with online games. According to the police report, the boy’s father was called and picked up his son. He was advised to seek psychological treatment for the teenager and temporarily remove him from his mother.
Analysis:
The government’s decision to regulate the sports betting and online gaming market in Brazil is a necessary response to the unbridled growth of these activities since 2018. The lack of clear regulation has allowed the proliferation of foreign platforms, often with predatory practices that contribute to the dependence of the players. The proposed regulations aim to protect consumers and ensure that gaming activities are conducted ethically and responsibly while combating money laundering and currency evasion.
The new rules, which come into force in January, introduce robust measures to monitor and limit betting behavior, imposing responsibility on both operators and advertisers. By blocking unregistered platforms and restricting advertising, the government seeks to reduce youth exposure and the negative influence of celebrities who promote gaming as an alternative source of income. This preventative approach is crucial to mitigating the social and economic impacts of compulsive gambling. Strict regulation can also help avoid the participation of criminal organizations in this sector, which could work as a good method to launder money.
Sources: G1 [1], [2]; A Folha de SP.
