The iGaming market in Brazil is undergoing major transformations with the regulation of online betting in 2025, which has presented great opportunities for entrepreneurs. With a population of over 215 million people and a growing middle class, Brazil is on the verge of becoming one of the largest regulated iGaming markets in the world.
So, if you want to open an online casino in Brazil but are not sure of the best way to do it, let us help you! InPlaySoft has written this guide to show all the essential steps you need to follow, covering current legislation, licensing requirements, cost estimates, and much more.
Understanding the legal landscape in Brazil
Historically, most forms of gambling have been illegal in Brazil since the 1940s, with the exception of lotteries—operated by Caixa Econômica Federal—and some forms of sports betting. In recent years, however, the Brazilian government has regulated the iGaming sector, driven by the potential to generate tax revenue and curb illegal operations.
Let’s now take a look at the rules that gave iGaming operators a clear runway to take off.
Recent legal developments
Since January 1, 2025, online gambling has been regulated in Brazil. But this didn’t happen overnight. The story goes back to December 2018, when Brazil passed Law No. 13,756/2018, which legalized fixed-odds sports betting both online and in person.
Five years later, the government approved Provisional Measure (MP) No. 1,182/2023 and Law No. 14,790/2023. The latter formally regulated the operation of fixed-odds betting and paved the way for broader forms of online gambling, including casino games. Currently, the Ministry of Finance is responsible for issuing licenses and regulating online betting and gaming.
Licensing requirements and process
To legally operate an online casino in Brazil, companies must obtain a license from the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA), under the Ministry of Finance. To apply, key company personnel, such as directors, must undergo due diligence and background checks. In addition, under the law:
- Operators are required to be incorporated in Brazil, with at least 20% Brazilian ownership, and must host data in Brazil or in approved cooperative jurisdictions.
- Licensed platforms must exclusively use the .bet.br domain; sites not in compliance are deemed illegal and subject to blocking by Anatel and ISPs.
- Platform requirements include KYC with CPF verification, biometric/facial recognition, geolocation, self-exclusion tools, deposit limits, and transaction monitoring.
- Operators must have AML/CFT policies, which became mandatory under SPA/MF Ordinance No. 1,143/2024.
- Companies must hold a minimum capital of R$30 million and provide a financial guarantee of R$5 million (US$920,000).
License costs and taxation
- License application fee: R$30 million (US$5.5m)– covers up to 3 brands for five years, with operators required to maintain R$5 million (US$920,000) in financial reserves.
- Taxation: Brazil has implemented a 12% tax on Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR). However, a new 18% rate is set to take effect on October 1, 2025, under MP 1303/2025.
Sound like a lot? It is—but don’t worry. With the right partners and preparation, it’s absolutely doable (and worth it).
Step-by-step guide to launching an online casino in Brazil
Step 1: Conduct market research
First and foremost, companies looking to launch an online casino in Brazil must understand their target audience, competition, popular games, payment methods, and marketing channels. Think of this as your starter kit for a casino: knowing what Brazilians love to play will help you build something that keeps them coming back.
For example, in July 2024, ENV Media reported that 66.9% of Brazilian real-money bettors engaged in sports betting, making it the most popular vertical, followed by lotteries at 58.2% and online casinos at 51.1%.
InPlaySoft data, however, suggests that since regulation began, Brazilians have shifted their preferences, with most bets now being placed on online casino games.
Within casino games, slot machines are the top favorite in Brazil. InPlaySoft data shows that 63% of casino wagers come from them, with crash games in second place at 17%. Completing the top five are live dealer games (8%), table games (3%), and video slots (2%).
When it comes to sports betting, InPlaySoft’s sportsbook shows that soccer is by far the most bet-on sport, being nine times more popular than basketball, which comes second, followed by tennis. The top league for sports betting in Brazil is the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, while the NBA is the most popular non-football league.
Step 2: Incorporate a Brazilian legal entity
Entrepreneurs must then establish a legal company in Brazil. They may incorporate either a Sociedade Limitada (Ltda) or a Sociedade Anônima (S.A.). Lawyers and accountants can assist with:
- Social Contract
- CNPJ (Company Tax ID)
- Company registration
- Local address and representatives
Step 3: Prepare for licensing
The next step is gathering documentation, such as:
- Company structure
- Proof of capital and financial guarantees
- Internal Control Systems (ICS)
- AML/CFT procedures
- IT architecture and game certification reports
- Responsible Gambling policies
Step 4: Build the platform
To build an iGaming platform for an online casino, companies can:
- Use a white-label solution: a business model where the operator uses the infrastructure, license, and branding services of a provider to run an online casino.
The operator customizes the casino with its own brand and logo but does not own the platform, license, or core operations.
The white-label provider handles most back-end functions such as licensing, payment processing, game integrations, legal compliance, and technical maintenance.
- Use a turnkey solution: a business model where the operator fully owns and controls its brand, platform, and operations.
- This model includes all the core components needed to run an online casino, such as gaming software, payment systems, licensing, customer support tools, and content management systems.
- Once setup is complete, the operator owns the entire casino platform, including the domain, customer data, and business operations.
InPlaySoft offers both white-label and turnkey solutions for its partners. The best choice depends on the operator's goals, budget, experience, and long-term vision. For entrepreneurs looking to build a lasting brand, want complete control, and have the resources to manage operations, turnkey casinos are the best choice.
For those just entering the industry, want to experiment with minimal risk, and prefer to focus on marketing and customer acquisition, white-label casinos are the ideal solution.
Step 5: Integrate local payment solutions
Offering localized payment options is crucial for player trust and retention. Brazilian users can use traditional payments such as debit cards and e-wallets, but the country also has a unique payment solution called Pix.
Pix supports P2P, P2B, B2B, and B2G transactions, fostering financial inclusion and enabling access to banking services in underserved regions, including indigenous and rural communities. The system’s interoperability, near-zero fees, and mobile-first design have made real-time payments ubiquitous—even for micro and everyday transactions.
According to the Financial Times, 76% of the population (around 160 million people) use Pix, making it the most widely used payment method, surpassing cards and cash. In 2024, Pix processed an impressive 68.7 billion transactions, a 52% increase from the previous year, with a total value close to R$5 trillion (US$900 billion).
Therefore, offering Pix is essential in the Brazilian market.
Another option is boleto, a voucher system managed by the Central Bank of Brazil. Boleto is a key payment method, especially for Brazilians without credit cards. However, boleto payments tend to be slow, taking several days to process and being limited to banking hours.
Step 6: Establish a Responsible Gambling framework
Regarding Responsible Gambling tools, companies are legally required to implement:
- Age verification (under-18s cannot gamble; a proposal is under discussion to raise the minimum age to 21).
- Deposit, loss, and time limits.
- Self-exclusion and cooling-off periods.
- Reality checks and session reminders.
- Links to support centers and gambling helplines.
- Operators must also verify player identity and source of funds. This helps:
- Prevent underage gambling.
- Detect compulsive gambling behaviors.
- Combat money laundering and fraudulent activities.
Lastly, operators must comply with the LGPD (General Data Protection Law) and store data securely. This protects players against data breaches, identity theft, and misuse of personal information.
Ongoing compliance and maintenance
After launching an online casino, the company must still:
- Submit regular reports to the regulator.
- Maintain strong anti-money laundering checks and audit trails.
- Undergo random inspections or independent audits.
- Continuously update software and security systems.
In short, launch day is just the beginning. Think of it as a marathon, not a sprint, where continued compliance is the water tank that keeps you going.
The importance of choosing a software provider
During the process of launching an online casino, companies must choose a reliable and reputable software provider. The provider will not only supply the games but also the entire back-end infrastructure that powers the casino’s functionality, security, scalability, and user experience.
A high-quality provider ensures seamless game integration, responsive mobile interfaces, efficient player management tools, and robust fraud-prevention systems.
In a regulated market like Brazil, working with a provider that meets international compliance standards—such as RNG certification, data protection, and AML readiness—is essential for obtaining and maintaining your license.
A poor-quality software solution can lead to bugs, downtime, slow payments, and ultimately a loss of user trust, which can sink a brand before it even takes off.
Therefore, it’s important to prioritize proven platforms with a strong track record in regulated markets, customizable options, and comprehensive customer support. Ultimately, your platform is only as good as the technology behind it—so make sure you bet on the right partner before your users bet on you.
InPlaySoft: A Platform built for growth
If you want to launch an online casino in Brazil—or if you are not fully satisfied with your current software provider—InPlaySoft is the best choice for you. We are an innovative iGaming software provider that builds, delivers, and maintains scalable, stable, and fast-to-market iGaming platform technology for casino and sportsbook solutions. We work with operators who demand not just success, but sustained growth.
To learn more about InPlaySoft, visit the company’s website here!
Source: InPlaySoft
