Zona de Azar Brazil – Brazil: Ministry of Finance Requests Anatel to Block Over 1,800 Illegal Betting Sites
Brazil, November 21, 2024 – www.zonadeazar.com The Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) of the Ministry of Finance (MF) sent on Monday (11/18) the third list of domains to the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel), requesting the blocking of access.
The first list was sent on October 11, containing 2,040 sites. The second, on October 31, included more than 1,400. After some adjustments, the number of blocked sites exceeds 5,200 in less than 40 days.
As in the previous two instances, the blocking order is being sent to around 20,000 telecommunications companies providing internet access in Brazil. Each company will take technical measures, and Anatel will monitor the process to ensure effective and prompt blocking.
The blocking of these sites is just one of the Federal Government’s actions to combat illegal betting. Other measures include cracking down on advertising of illegal sites (including those promoted by influencers) and preventing these companies from using the national financial system.
Only companies that applied for authorization by September 17 or were recommended by state and Federal District betting regulators can legally offer betting services until the end of this year.
Legislation
By December, the Ministry of Finance is expected to complete the definitive analysis of the initial applications to verify which betting companies comply with all regulations under Law No. 13.756/2018 (legalizing fixed-odds betting in sports betting), Law No. 14.790/2023 (regulating fixed-odds betting and including online games in this category), and over ten SPA ordinances regulating the activity.
Starting January 1, 2025, only companies authorized by the SPA will be allowed to offer betting services nationwide.
Authorized companies operating until December will also be monitored, as they are in a “probationary period” while their documentation is reviewed for definitive authorization. Companies violating any current Brazilian law—such as the Consumer Protection Code or the Child and Adolescent Statute—risk losing their license to operate next year.
Editor: @_fonta – www.zonadeazar.com
