Zona de Azar Brazil – Brazil: ANJL Questions Bradesco’s Warnings About Online Betting

Brazil – February 20, 2025  www.zonadeazar.com The National Association of Gaming and Lotteries (ANJL) criticized Bradesco for advising its customers to avoid online betting, known as “bets.” The bank has begun sending alerts to account holders who use Pix to pay for such bets.

In messages directed at customers, the bank suggests considering safer alternatives. Bradesco states:
“Betting does not guarantee a financial return, and the money can be completely lost. Take care of your financial health and look for safer options to make the most of your money.”

Additionally, the bank offers two options: to proceed with the transaction or cancel the Pix payment. Bradesco is the first among Brazil’s major banks to take a public stance against betting.

Recently, Nubank also started questioning customers who identify Pix keys associated with betting. The institution asks:
“How about saving this money?”

ANJL’s Reaction

In a statement sent to the Metrópoles portal, ANJL expressed concern. The association stated:
“We are deeply concerned by reports that some banks, including Bradesco, have been advising their customers against betting and, in some cases, even blocking account holders’ accounts or passwords when they attempt to place bets.”

ANJL emphasized that Laws No. 13,756/2018 and 14,790/2023 legalize the betting sector, which is regulated by ordinances from the Ministries of Finance and Sports. The association stated:
“Bradesco’s behavior, as well as Nubank’s, demonstrates unequal treatment of a legitimate sector of the country’s economy.”

According to ANJL, the regulated market could generate 60,000 jobs in the next five years and contribute R$ 20 billion annually in taxes.

The entity highlighted:

“Tax revenue from betting is allocated to sectors such as education, sports, and public security, according to the percentages defined by current legislation.”

The Law

Additionally, the association recalled that Article 7, Section III of Law No. 12,865, dated October 9, 2013, establishes that payment systems must guarantee
“non-discriminatory access to the services and infrastructure necessary for the operation of payment systems.”

ANJL stated:

“Both Bradesco and Nubank ignore this principle by directing their campaigns against a single activity when, in fact, they should be warning about the dangers of betting with illegal operators.”

ANJL acknowledged that thousands of illegal betting sites operate in the country without federal government authorization.

Therefore, the entity declared:
“Authorities are making efforts to combat this, but there is still a long way to go in the fight against the illegal betting market.”

Finally, the association suggested that banks educate customers on the importance of betting only with legal companies. ANJL concluded:
“That would be a message of support for the Ministry of Finance, which has worked so hard to regulate the sector.”

Bradesco’s Defense

When contacted by the Metrópoles portal, Bradesco stated that the initiative is purely informational and does not impose restrictions. The bank explained:
“The initiative is purely informational, without imposing any restrictions on customers’ transactions. The goal is to offer tools that help customers manage their financial resources.”

Editor: @_fonta
www.zonadeazar.com