Amid an ongoing crackdown on illegal gambling, the Brazilian government has already taken down more than 23,000 illegal websites, according to official data from the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA). Technological blocks, actions with providers, and payment tracing now form the largest enforcement effort the sector has ever seen.
But while the country attempts to tighten the screws on irregular operators, an uncomfortable question is still absent from the core of the debate: why does the bettor who chooses an illegal platform continue to walk away unscathed?
The legal answer is straightforward—and it surprises many: they are walking away unscathed, but they shouldn’t be.
The law already provides for fines against individuals who bet on unauthorized platforms. And this is not new.
Betting on illegal websites is a criminal offense. It’s written in the law.
Despite the simplistic narrative that “the bettor is a victim,” Brazilian legislation is explicit. Law 13,155/2015, which regulated LOTEX, amended Article 50 of the Law on Criminal Misdemeanors and introduced an important provision:
(Art. 50, §2) “Anyone who participates in illegal gambling, including via the internet, is subject to a fine of R$ 2,000 (US$370) to R$ 200,000 (US$37,000).”
In other words:
* Bettors who choose illegal sites may be penalized;
* Online participation in illegal gambling has been subject to fines since 2015;
* The fine for bettors choosing illegal platforms may reach R$ 200,000 (US$37,000).
In 2025, with advanced search tools, large-scale use of artificial intelligence, and regulatory transparency, claiming ignorance no longer holds water.
Legal is legal. Illegal is a crime. For both operators and bettors.
Since Decree-Law 204/1967, the State has made it clear that authorized lotteries and related modalities have an exceptional legal nature, outside the realm of criminal offenses. In practice:
* Authorized gambling modalities: not a misdemeanor.
* Any unauthorized operation: remains a game of chance and, therefore, illegal.
Laws 13,756/2018 and 14,790/2023 reinforced this by framing fixed-odds betting as a lottery modality subject to federal or state authorization.
The result:
Illegal operators face criminal liability. Bettors who choose illegal platforms are also liable, according to a law that has been in force in Brazil for more than a decade.
Although this rule has existed for over ten years, the country has never enforced it—whether due to lack of awareness or simple tolerance. Given this history, one question becomes unavoidable: isn’t it time to finally start enforcing what is already written?
A bettor’s choice finances a criminal ecosystem.
The bettor who opts for the illegal market is not a neutral observer, nor can they reasonably be treated as a victim, because they:
* fuel money laundering schemes;
* strengthen tax evaders;
* weaken sports and public policies funded by the regulated sector;
* harm licensed companies that follow strict rules;
* expose their personal data;
* undermine job creation in Brazil;
* and still risk paying a fine of up to R$ 200,000 (US$37,000).
In other words: those who bet illegally help keep alive the very problem the country is trying to combat.
Consumer impunity is the shield of illegality.
If the illegal market thrives, it is because there is demand—and that demand comes from bettors who, often for personal convenience, seek:
* sites without KYC or identity verification;
* crypto payments to avoid identification;
* platforms requiring only an email or phone number;
* exemption from income tax on winnings;
* higher odds offered by operators who do not pay taxes or bear regulatory costs.
And yes: in all these cases, the bettor is committing an illegal act.
The law is clear. The boundary is obvious. The risk is real.
Is it time to hold those choosing the wrong side accountable?
Holding bettors accountable is not persecution; it is legal consistency. The consumer is the main driver of demand. If they choose the legal market, the illegal dries up. There are ways to identify bets placed on illegal platforms, among others. A Pix transfer to unregulated operators is proof of the unlawful act.
This is not about punishment for punishment’s sake, but about establishing warning signals for bettors who continue to fuel the illegal market. Clear notices of legal noncompliance should be implemented, along with direct alerts about the consequences of their choices. In cases of repeat behavior, penalties should be applied gradually—and, when necessary, strictly—according to the law and proportional to recurrence and persistence in the unlawful act.
If bettors continue to finance the illegal sector, the entire Brazilian regulatory framework loses strength, and the “wrong” side becomes more appealing than compliance.
The message is simple: choose the legal market or assume the risks. The rule is clear.
Conclusion: in 2025, the excuse “I didn’t know” is dead.
Betting is legal in Brazil—as long as it is done on authorized platforms.
Today there are over 80 licensed operators, in addition to state authorizations, and the viability of municipal licenses is still under review by the Supreme Court.
Bettors have clear and safe options; therefore:
* there is a regulated market;
* there is a crystal-clear and easily identifiable legal distinction;
* penalties exist;
* there is a real financial risk for those who choose the illegal market.
The era of impunity must come to an end.
And for those who insist on the illegal market, here is the final warning—direct, objective, and without euphemisms:
Bet on illegal platforms? The risk is yours.
And the fine can reach R$ 200,000 (US$37,000).
Waldir Marques
Gaming expert, regulatory consultant, former CEO of Caixa Loterias and former Deputy Secretary of Regulation at the Ministry of Finance.
Amilton Noble
Gaming and lottery specialist with more than 30 years of experience, creator of multiple lottery, capitalization, and promotional products, and consultant to several companies in the sector.
