Brazil Creates Federal Police Division to Combat Illegal Betting
Brazil.- 14 October 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP) has established a specialised division within the Federal Police (PF) to combat illegal betting operations and sports match-fixing.
The measure was formalised through MJSP Ordinance No. 1,325, dated 9 October 2026, published in the Federal Official Gazette on Tuesday, 13 October.
The restructuring marks the first time that a dedicated betting-related unit has been formally incorporated into the Brazilian Federal Police’s administrative structure.
Creation of the DRAME Division
The new department is named the Divisão de Repressão a Apostas Ilegais e Manipulação de Esportes (DRAME).
Its establishment introduces a permanent administrative structure dedicated to investigating and combating unlawful betting activities and the manipulation of sporting competitions.
Previously, the Federal Police conducted investigations involving these activities but did not have a formally designated division covering both areas within its organisational structure.
New Betting Analysis Service
DRAME will oversee a subordinate unit known as the Serviço de Análise de Apostas (SEAAP).
The service will operate within the Federal Police’s newly established specialised structure.
The introduction of a dedicated analysis unit is intended to strengthen the handling of betting-related information and support investigations conducted by the institution.
The new framework combines the enforcement of illegal betting restrictions with an administrative structure focused on sector-specific analysis.
Integration Within the CGLA
DRAME will operate under the newly established Coordenação-Geral de Repressão à Lavagem de Dinheiro e Recuperação de Ativos (CGLA).
This general coordination department reports to the Diretoria de Investigação e Combate ao Crime Organizado e à Corrupção (DICOR).
The division’s institutional position directly connects illegal betting investigations with broader efforts to combat financial crime.
Illegal Betting and Money Laundering
A central aspect of the restructuring is the integration of illegal gambling enforcement within a specialised financial crime framework.
The new coordination structure brings together activities involving:
- Investigations into illegal betting operations.
- Sports match-fixing.
- Anti-money laundering enforcement.
- Financial intelligence.
- Recovery of assets linked to criminal activities.
This approach seeks to strengthen cooperation between investigations involving organised crime and illicit financial transactions.
New Asset Recovery Structure
The reform also changes the administrative organisation of money laundering investigations.
Previously, anti-money laundering activities were managed through a division within a broader coordination department responsible for corruption and financial crimes.
Under the revised framework, money laundering investigations receive a dedicated organisational structure.
Asset recovery, which previously operated at service level, has also been elevated to coordination level.
One Division Instead of Two
The final structure differs from the Federal Police’s original proposal.
The plan submitted to the Ministry of Justice by Federal Police Director-General Andrei Rodrigues initially envisaged two separate divisions.
One would have focused on illegal betting operations, while the other would have been responsible for sports match-fixing.
However, the approved framework consolidated both responsibilities within DRAME.
Objectives of the Restructuring
According to the Federal Police’s justification, the reform aims to strengthen the institution’s capacity to combat organised crime through financial investigations.
The revised structure seeks to integrate anti-money laundering enforcement, financial intelligence and asset recovery under a unified coordination framework.
Including illegal betting within this system reflects the authorities’ focus on potential connections between clandestine gambling and financial crime.
Ordinance Signed by Wellington César Lima e Silva
MJSP Ordinance No. 1,325/2026 was signed by Justice and Public Security Minister Wellington César Lima e Silva.
The document is dated 9 October and was officially published on 13 October.
The measure adapts the ministry’s administrative structure to changes established under Decree No. 13,131, dated 30 September 2026.
This legislation provides the administrative basis for the creation of the specialised police division.
No New Police Positions Created
The establishment of DRAME does not involve the immediate creation of additional police positions or the opening of a new public recruitment process.
Instead, the reform redistributes existing functions and responsibilities within the federal administration.
Leadership positions within DRAME and SEAAP are classified as Funções Comissionadas Executivas (FCE), reserved for permanent public servants.
The designated grades are:
- FCE 1.07: head of DRAME.
- FCE 1.05: head of SEAAP.
The reform is therefore primarily administrative and organisational.
Redistribution of 46 Positions and Functions
Decree No. 13,131 also provided for the transfer of 46 positions and functions from the Ministry of Management to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security.
The redistribution forms part of a broader restructuring of the ministry’s administrative framework.
The measure allows internal responsibilities to be adjusted without necessarily increasing the Federal Police’s overall workforce.
Existing Base Apostas Initiative
The Federal Police already maintained mechanisms for investigating irregularities associated with sports betting.
These included Base Apostas, established through DICOR/PF Ordinance No. 92.
The initiative focused on combating match-fixing and fraudulent activities connected with fixed-odds betting.
DRAME’s creation incorporates these areas of work into a permanent and formally designated administrative structure.
Restructuring Coincides With Betting Ban
The restructuring comes at a time of significant regulatory change in Brazil.
On 25 September 2026, the Federal Government introduced Provisional Measure No. 1,394/2026, establishing a nationwide prohibition on fixed-odds betting.
Five days later, on 30 September, the decree underpinning the Ministry of Justice’s new organisational structure was signed.
The proximity of these decisions connects the police restructuring with an environment of increasing restrictions on betting activities.
Changes to the Scope of Investigations
Before the provisional measure entered into force, illegal betting largely referred to operations conducted without authorisation from the Ministry of Finance’s Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA/MF).
The new legislation changes this framework by introducing broad restrictions on sports betting and online casino products.
Consequently, the Federal Police will conduct its investigations within a different legal environment from that which existed during the regulated market’s operation.
The practical enforcement of these restrictions will remain subject to applicable legislation, administrative deadlines and judicial decisions.
Scale of the Illegal Gambling Market
Illegal betting was already a concern for Brazilian authorities before the provisional measure was introduced.
Industry estimates suggested that unauthorised operators accounted for more than 40% of the betting market, even after 22 months of regulation.
This situation presents significant challenges involving the identification of clandestine platforms, the monitoring of financial transactions and the investigation of potential criminal organisations.
The establishment of DRAME is intended to provide a specialised institutional framework for addressing these activities.
Funding From Regulated Betting
The new structure is also being introduced against a background of changing public funding arrangements.
During the operation of Brazil’s regulated betting market, part of the revenue generated by licensed operators was allocated to public security funds.
Beneficiaries included programmes and structures connected with the Federal Police itself.
The prohibition of regulated betting activities raises questions about the continuity of these funds and whether alternative budgetary resources may be required.
Consumer Protection Department Restructuring
Ordinance No. 1,325 also introduces administrative changes within the National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon).
These include the organisation of the new Department of Consumer Inspection and Harm Prevention.
The measure strengthens the administrative framework responsible for consumer protection inspections and the prevention of consumer harm.
These changes form part of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security’s wider organisational reform.
New Digital Rights Coordination Unit
The ordinance also introduces changes within the National Secretariat for Digital Rights.
Among them is the establishment of a new General Coordination for Monitoring and Inspection.
The unit forms part of the administrative changes aimed at strengthening monitoring and supervisory capabilities across the ministry.
Investigations Before Higher Courts
Another change affects the police structure responsible for investigations involving Brazil’s higher courts.
The relevant coordination unit will now report directly to DICOR.
It will also incorporate three Special Investigations Divisions, expanding the administrative structure responsible for these proceedings.
Sports Integrity and Fraud Prevention
Including match-fixing within DRAME represents an institutional development in addressing threats to sporting integrity.
Match-fixing may involve fraudulent arrangements designed to influence the outcome of a sporting event or specific incidents within a competition.
Such activities can be linked to betting operations and irregular financial transactions.
A specialised division allows investigative responsibilities to be concentrated within a dedicated Federal Police structure.
Next Steps and Impact
The establishment of the Divisão de Repressão a Apostas Ilegais e Manipulação de Esportes introduces a permanent specialised structure within Brazil’s Federal Police.
The decision integrates investigations into clandestine betting and sports match-fixing with departments responsible for money laundering enforcement, financial intelligence and asset recovery.
Its implementation coincides with nationwide restrictions that significantly change the operating environment for Brazil’s betting industry.
Over the coming months, a central challenge will be determining how the division’s responsibilities will be implemented under the regulatory framework established by Provisional Measure 1,394/2026.
The development of investigations, the ability to identify illegal operations and cooperation between public authorities will be important factors in assessing the restructuring’s effectiveness.
DRAME ultimately represents the formal institutionalisation of a police division specifically dedicated to illegal betting and sporting integrity within a broader strategy to combat financial and organised crime.
Editó: @fonta
