Bahia Takes Action Against Three Firms Over Payments to Illegal Betting Sites
Brazil.- 10 September 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com The Public Prosecutor’s Office of the State of Bahia has filed a civil action against three companies accused of participating in the processing of payments destined for illegal fixed-odds betting platforms.
The lawsuit names Nuoro Pay Instituição de Pagamento Ltda., Select Credit Sociedade de Crédito ao Microempreendedor e Empresa de Pequeno Porte Ltda. and Cartos Sociedade de Crédito Direto S.A.
The allegations remain subject to judicial examination.
Companies Named
The proceedings involve:
- Nuoro Pay Instituição de Pagamento Ltda.
- Select Credit Sociedade de Crédito ao Microempreendedor e Empresa de Pequeno Porte Ltda.
- Cartos Sociedade de Crédito Direto S.A.
Investigators are examining the role allegedly played by each business in processing payments and providing infrastructure linked to unauthorised betting platforms.
Payment Processing Under Investigation
According to prosecutor Joseane Suzart, who filed the action, Nuoro Pay and Select Credit allegedly processed payments for betting operators that did not hold the required authorisation.
Prosecutors further claim the companies failed to conduct sufficient due diligence on beneficiary businesses and did not adequately monitor transactions considered unusual.
Alleged Role of Cartos
In the case of Cartos, prosecutors allege the company provided technology and infrastructure that enabled payment intermediation alongside Nuoro Pay.
Its alleged involvement forms part of the broader structure now being examined by the courts.
Investigation Began After Consumer Complaint
The investigation started following a complaint submitted by a consumer.
The individual said they had been the victim of an alleged fraud involving betting platforms and payment intermediaries.
The reported losses exceeded R$100,000.
Information Sent to Other Authorities
The consumer also submitted information to several Brazilian authorities.
These included:
- Ministry of Finance.
- Council for Financial Activities Control.
- Central Bank.
- Public Prosecutor’s Office of Paraná.
- Federal Revenue Service.
- Federal Police.
The case therefore touches on consumer protection, financial supervision and enforcement against illegal gambling operations.
Difficulty Tracing Funds
During the investigation, Bahia prosecutors identified transaction receipts where the name of the betting platform involved did not appear.
Authorities argue this made it more difficult to establish the final destination of the money.
The investigation suggests the betting platforms examined did not necessarily receive player funds directly.
Fintechs and Intermediaries
According to the evidence gathered, funds allegedly moved through structures including:
- Fintech companies.
- Payment intermediaries.
- Recipient companies.
- Other financial entities.
Prosecutors argue this model may make it more difficult to trace the full movement of funds and identify final beneficiaries.
More Than 1,500 Complaints Linked to Nuoro Pay
The prosecutor’s office also reviewed consumer complaint platforms.
A July 2025 search identified 1,536 records associated with Nuoro Pay.
These included:
- Refund requests.
- Complaints about unresolved problems.
- Allegations of financial fraud.
- Cases linked to gaming and betting.
The records form part of the material considered during the investigation.
R$5 Million Asset Freeze Requested
Prosecutors have asked for the freezing of assets, rights and financial resources belonging to the companies and their shareholders.
The requested limit is R$5 million.
The measure is intended to preserve funds that could eventually be used to satisfy financial obligations arising from the proceedings.
Corporate Veil Request
The Public Prosecutor’s Office has also requested that the legal separation between the companies and their shareholders be disregarded.
If granted, shareholders could be included directly in the proceedings.
The measure is intended to prevent the corporate structure from obstructing any financial liability ultimately established by the courts.
Prosecutors Seek Closure of Businesses
Among the most significant requests is the permanent closure of:
- Nuoro Pay.
- Select Credit.
- Cartos.
The request still requires judicial consideration and does not mean the companies have been found liable.
Additional Transaction Controls
Prosecutors also want the businesses to implement enhanced transaction-monitoring mechanisms.
This would include checking the official lists of authorised and unauthorised betting operators maintained by the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting at the Ministry of Finance.
The objective is to prevent financial intermediaries from processing transactions involving unlicensed platforms.
Payments Become Enforcement Front
The case demonstrates that enforcement against illegal gambling is extending beyond website blocking and direct action against operators.
Payment flows are becoming another major area of regulatory attention.
Without efficient channels for deposits and withdrawals, illegal platforms face greater obstacles to operating in the Brazilian market.
Industry Context
Brazil maintains a federal authorisation framework for fixed-odds betting and regulated online gaming.
Authorities are simultaneously seeking to restrict illegal operators’ access to the domestic financial system.
Fintechs, payment processors and other entities within the financial chain are therefore becoming increasingly important to enforcement policy.
Next Steps or Impact
The courts must now consider the requests submitted by Bahia prosecutors.
These include freezing up to R$5 million in assets, bringing shareholders into the proceedings, imposing additional transaction controls and permanently closing all three businesses.
The case could become an important precedent concerning the responsibilities of financial intermediaries processing transactions linked to unauthorised gambling platforms.
Editó: @fonta
