why trust img

Why Trust Web3Bet

Our team of experts has independently reviewed and evaluated all the products and services featured on this page to ensure you receive accurate and reliable information

Since October 2024, Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) has taken more than 18,000 unlicensed betting domains offline under a cooperation pact with the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA). The drive accelerated after the regulated fixed-odds market went live, with about 15,000 illicit domains blocked in the first half of 2025 alone.

While enforcement has intensified, only 78 companies currently hold official authorization to operate, underscoring the gap between legal supply and the scale of the cleanup. Authorities continue to publish and update the roster of approved brands for bettors to verify legitimacy.

How the blocks work and why cutting payment rails matters

Under the October 9, 2024 technical cooperation agreement, SPA identifies rogue sites and apps and sends them to Anatel, which instructs broadband and mobile operators nationwide to restrict access. Officials stress that domain takedowns are necessary but not sufficient, as illegal outfits can quickly spawn new mirrors.

To choke off funding, SPA coordinated action with the financial sector: 24 institutions filed 277 alerts and closed 255 bank accounts linked to illegal operators. SPA also notified 13 payment institutions, leading to the closure of accounts tied to 45 companies operating outside the regulated market.

A fast-formalizing market: usage and revenues in H1 2025

In the first six months of 2025, Brazil’s authorized operators generated gross gaming revenue (GGR) of R$17.4 billion (stakes minus prizes), reflecting strong early adoption of the regulated framework. The government reports 17.7 million Brazilians placed bets via SPA-authorized sites and apps during this period.

Average spend per active player reached about R$983 for the semester, roughly R$164 (≈US$27) per month, illustrating both the scale and affordability profile of regulated play relative to legacy estimates. Regulators say they will keep publishing updated market and enforcement data to support evidence-based policy.

Source: https://igamingbrazil.com/legislacao/2025/09/08/mais-de-18-mil-sites-de-bets-ilegais-foram-bloqueados-pela-anatel/