Amid concerns surrounding betting operators—such as abusive advertising and potential fraud—the government regulated the activity through Law 14.790, enacted in December 2023. The law provides guidelines to ensure the integrity of betting and to protect bettors from potential risks.
According to industry experts, however, one of the main problems in the sector remains the operation of unregulated 'Bets' that do not comply with the guidelines established by the regulation. Nevertheless, they are responsible for nearly 60% of all bets registered in Brazil, as previously revealed by André Gelfi, founder of the Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming (IBJR).
Based on this scenario, we list the five main topics, according to the 'Bets' law, to shed light on the regulations already in place that aim to ensure the safety of regulated platforms and emphasize the importance of fighting the illegal market.
Constant player monitoring to detect possible fraud and compulsive behavior
Under the law that regulates sports betting, authorized operators in Brazil must implement new KYC (Know Your Customer) steps to verify the identity of users accessing the platform—such as facial recognition and document verification—to ensure that the registered profile actually belongs to the person entering the platform.
Among the companies that have developed systems in this regard, João Fraga, CEO of Paag, a techfin that develops technological solutions for the regulated 'Bets' market, explains how it works: “This information is shared with betting operators so they can take appropriate action if there is any sign of risk or suspicion.”
In addition, Normative Ordinance No. 1,143 from the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting of the Ministry of Finance, which contains rules to prevent money laundering and the financing of terrorism within 'Bets' operations, also requires continuous monitoring of players. Platforms must identify, assess, and classify player risk levels and report suspicious transactions to COAF, the federal agency responsible for anti-money laundering enforcement.
This includes, for example, evaluating whether a player’s economic capacity aligns with the amounts they are betting.
Requirement for 24-hour customer service and an ombudsman in Brazil
The 'Bets' law also requires platforms to implement internal policies, procedures, and controls for customer support and an ombudsman service. Through an electronic or telephone channel that is free to access and use, all betting platforms authorized by the government must offer customer service to answer questions and address issues related to fixed-odds lottery operations. The service must be provided in Portuguese by fluent speakers.
Among the companies consulted, Galera Bet—a traditional betting platform in Brazil—highlighted its customer service and ombudsman structure. It aims to provide personalized service aligned with local culture and customs, offering 24/7 support to players, focusing on a humanized approach with a team trained to handle a wide range of complex issues.
Existence of programs to combat gambling addiction
Another key topic in the 'Bets' law is the mandatory implementation of internal policies, procedures, and controls related to responsible gaming and prevention of gambling disorders. The law also requires operators to be affiliated with a national or international organization that monitors sports integrity.
In this context, programs have been developed to combat gambling addiction, such as COMPULSAFE, from the Brazilian Support Company for Compulsive Gamblers (EBAC). It aims to assist compulsive users by creating a personalized action plan, implemented by the platforms with support from EBAC professionals. Operators that have already adopted the program include Ana Gaming Group (7k, Cassino, and Vera), Casa de Apostas, and Betsul.
Ban on payment methods such as credit cards and cryptocurrencies for betting
Another regulation focused on player protection in the regulated 'Bets' market concerns restrictions on payment methods. According to Normative Ordinance No. 615 from the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting of the Ministry of Finance, credit cards and other post-paid instruments are not allowed in the regulated market. This aims to discourage household debt by making it more difficult for players to gamble beyond their financial means.
Permitted methods include PIX, TED, debit cards, or prepaid cards, as long as the funds come from the user’s registered account. To ensure the traceability of funds and betting integrity, cash, payment slips (boletos), and crypto assets are also prohibited.
Consumer guarantees and rights
In regulated betting platforms, consumers are also protected by consumer rights legislation, covering aspects from receiving payouts on winning bets to protection from abusive advertising.
Regarding marketing strategies, betting companies may be held liable for any abusive or misleading advertisements made by influencers they hire on social media.
All promotions must be responsible and honest, and advertising that suggests betting is a way to get rich quickly is strictly prohibited.
Source: GMB
