It is worth noting that the Brazilian market already shows impressive numbers in the area. Last year, the sector moved approximately 240 billion reais. The expectation for 2025 is even more optimistic, with projections to generate US$ 5.6 billion in gross gaming revenue (GGR) alone, according to data from H2 Gambling Capital.
At ICR 2025, Zoran Milosevic, CEO of Meridianbet, said that the global market has the potential to generate US$ 2.5 to 4 billion annually. In addition, he himself commented:
"Brazil represents an extraordinary market opportunity, and secures this license position at Meridianbet to deliver substantial value. With our proprietary technology and proven operational expertise, we are poised to make a significant impact on the country's growing regulated gaming landscape."
It is important to understand the optimistic growth pace of the organization, which achieved a 61% increase in preliminary revenue for fiscal year 2024, reaching $150 million in total.
Achievement of Meridianbet's definitive authorization to operate in Brazil until 2029
Founded in 2001 in Serbia, Meridianbet, belonging to the Golden Matrix Group Inc, is an organization focused on sports betting and casino games with more than two decades of excellence in the sector.
The organization's application for a license to operate in Brazil covered sports betting and iGaming under the national unified licensing system.
With the definitive authorization, projections already show that, by 2028, the company will have an estimated turnover of US$ 34 billion in the national territory.
It is worth noting that the entire regulatory process is still very recent, being sanctioned by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on December 31, 2023.
The more than 100 platforms that were interested in operating legally had to pay a grant of BRL 30 million and meet a series of requirements, including: prohibition of credit for betting, identification of players by CPF, facial recognition, strict control of financial flows, among others.
In this way, Meridianbet is one of the first sports betting and online gaming houses to get its definitive approval to operate in the national market.
The Brazilian betting market
The history of betting in Brazil has undergone several changes until it reaches the current regulation. For a better idea, there are records of the first steps of the sector in the 1940s. At that time, betting with the roll of dice was a popular activity, until the then president banned the activity.
It is only in 1970 that there is an opening in the scenario, when state lotteries are allowed. Later, in 1993, the Zico Law legalized commercial bingo and slot machines, but this was repealed by the Pelé Law of 1998, leaving only games of a non-commercial character.
After that, the regulation of the sector in the Brazilian market began to gain strength only in 2018, when Congress authorized the regulation of online sports betting. Even so, it was only in 2023 that the regulatory framework was finally sanctioned for the opening and entry of organizations in the area.
Still, it is worth noting that in other parts of the world, the opening for sports betting was already happening. In Europe, in which Meridianbet began its first steps, the sector has been regularized since 1950.
This new phase reflects Meridianbet's commitment to regulation and innovation, positioning it as one of the leading operators in Brazil by 2029.
Commitment to responsible gaming and user protection
As part of the legislation for Brazilian regulation, Meridianbet is once again committed to responsible gaming and user protection for entry into the national market. Some of the rules include:
- All operators must be based in Brazil;
- In addition to the organization being present in the national territory, users also need to enable location on their devices to access the platform (desktop or mobile).
- All authorized online betting operators must use the .bet.br domain to distinguish themselves from unauthorized platforms;
- Credit cards are no longer a valid form of payment. Only debit or Pix cards will be accepted;
- Operators are required to meet a series of integrity, responsibility and honesty requirements, as proposed by ABRADIE and IBJR;
- Operators must carry out rigorous age and identity verification prior to registration to ensure that players are over 18 years old and are not on any lists of government restrictions, PEPs and sanctions;
In this regard, the organization has always been ahead of regulatory/compliance standards, with more than 20 years of experience operating in 18 regulated markets worldwide.
In this way, compliance is much more than an obligation for the company, it is a strategic advantage. That is, they not only meet legal standards, but also actively advocate for regulatory benchmarks, ensuring long-term market sustainability.
It is worth noting that the security of the game is carried out through advanced online monitoring and an experienced team. That is, betting manipulation and money laundering are actively combated by the organization.
In cases of problematic behavior, Meridianbet also offers support and guidance through trained staff.
Growth prospects in the Brazilian market
With a market in great expansion, Meridianbet, which now operates permanently in Brazil, has a growth projection due to the opportunity to access new players by getting to know the platform.
In this sense, Meridianbet demonstrates that it is well positioned to continue growing globally and already has several initiatives that should contribute to performance.
They are:
* Continued investment in the use of AI to improve player monetization;
* Pioneering the entry of new newly regulated markets;
* Improved operating margins through technological efficiency.
It is worth noting that Elder Caturani, CEO of Meridianbet Brasil, who was present at SBC RIO 2025, stated that the transition to the national market was carried out in an efficient and structured way, with clear communication to our users about regulatory updates.
"Any initial adjustments were quickly onboarded, and in February we saw an increase in active users, reaffirming that our commitment to a transparent and well-regulated gaming environment increases trust and engagement. When it comes to opportunities, the main thing is to secure a federal license, as by doing so, we reinforce Meridianbet's commitment to the market, long-term stability and credibility.”
“The future of iGaming in Brazil depends on a strong but also business-friendly regulatory framework that allows licensed operators to scale responsibly. With regulations, advanced technology, and Brazil's deep sports culture, the market is poised for rapid expansion. We're super excited about the opportunities ahead."
If you are interested in more updates, visit the Group's Investor Relations page or follow us on social media.
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Source: GMB
