Brazil’s Ministry of Finance has released an official list of licensed operators for fixed-odds sports betting and online gaming, effective January 1, 2025. The Prizes and Betting Secretariat (SPA) outlined that the authorization process included 15 definitive licenses valid through 2029 and 66 provisional ones requiring compliance adjustments within a 30-day timeframe.
The newly published ordinances identify 81 operators that successfully met financial and regulatory prerequisites, according to Games Magazine Brazil. These companies collectively paid a R$30 million licensing fee and established emergency reserves of R$5 million to comply with federal regulations. Notable operators granted definitive licenses include SuperBet, MGM, and SportyBet, while well-known brands such as bet365, Betsson, and Betano received provisional authorizations.
Definitive license holders must adhere to stringent operational standards, covering compliance with advertising ethics, responsible gambling measures, and a 12.5% gross revenue tax. Meanwhile, companies with provisional licenses face a 30-day deadline to address documentation gaps identified by SPA.
Compliance and Challenges
The regulatory process has been part of a broader governmental initiative to establish oversight within the online betting market. Operators faced significant hurdles, including delays in obtaining certifications essential to platform integrity. Initially, 103 companies were considered eligible, but several applicants failed to meet extended deadlines, which were pushed from November 13 to November 29 due to certifier bottlenecks. As a result, only 81 licenses were granted.
Among these challenges, operators excluded from the initial licensing round have opportunities to resubmit their applications. The Ministry of Finance emphasized that unsuccessful applicants are not permanently barred, allowing them to pursue approval in subsequent reviews.
Key Regulations and Local Alternatives
Brazil’s regulatory framework outlines several requirements, including anti-money laundering safeguards and rigorous certification protocols. Additionally, unlicensed operators will face federal bans starting January 2025 if they continue nationwide services without authorization. Operators unable to secure federal licenses may explore state-level alternatives in regions like Rio de Janeiro, Paraná, and Maranhão, where localized authorizations are available.
The Ministry also noted that the licensing process has brought attention to some applicants linked to investigations of illegal activities. While such companies remain eligible for approval if charges are unresolved, the review process continues to scrutinize these cases closely.
Comprehensive List of Approved Operators
The list includes a mix of domestic and international operators. Key definitive license holders such as Rei do Pitaco, Galera.bet, and Betnacional will offer services exclusively online or via combined physical and virtual platforms. Provisional approvals were granted to major names like Caesars, SportingBet, and Betfair, enabling them to address pending compliance issues before final authorization.
This announcement marks a significant step toward formalizing Brazil’s betting market, providing clarity to operators and consumers as the sector opens under strict regulations in 2025.