Brazil’s Secretariat of Prizes and Bets has released new details on the requirements for the country’s national gambling self-exclusion program.
Setting up the system has...
iGaming Brazil 2025: Behind the Scenes of Top LatAm Market
If you’re watching LatAm’s iGaming scene, Brazil is the market you can’t ignore. 2025 has brought growth, new rules, and plenty of challenges. As 2026 approaches, the big question is: who will truly control iGaming Brazil? Let’s explore what’s happening behind the scenes.
Table of Contents
iGaming Brazil: Overview
If you thought Brazil was only active on the football pitch or at Carnival, think again. The country is making just as much noise in iGaming. Brazil has had one of the most dynamic and complex iGaming markets in LatAm. As a result, after years of delays and debates, new regulations targeting licensing, taxation, and player protection finally came into effect on January 1, 2025. However, even with the law in place, the market is split.
A study by LCA Consultores and Instituto Locomotiva, supported by the Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming (IBJR), found that 41% to 51% of Brazil’s online betting market still operates illegally. So, this means that while licensed operators are investing in technology, compliance, and responsible gaming tools to build trust in the market, provide safer gambling experiences, and drive gambling traffic in Brazil, illegal platforms continue to run the show and steal that traffic with the help of marketing and social media influencers.
Why does illegal iGaming in Brazil keep growing?
So, why do players keep betting illegally when regulation is already in place? The answer is simple: confusion and accessibility.
The same Instituto Locomotiva study found that 78% of bettors have trouble telling legal and illegal sites apart, and 72% admit they don’t always check whether a platform is licensed. Nearly half discovered only later that they’d deposited money on fake or irregular sites.
Illegal operators in Brazil’s iGaming market have mastered the art of camouflage. They use similar domain names, switch URLs frequently, and rely on influencer marketing to reach audiences that trust them. Social media, especially TikTok and Instagram, has become the new casino floor, where delicious promises of “quick wins” drown out warnings about fraud or addiction.
Culturally, gambling in Brazil is deeply tied to football, and unlicensed platforms take full advantage of this national passion. During major matches, these operators flood feeds with real-time odds and bonus offers that feel too good to be true and often are.
In short, illegal gambling remains the brightest and riskiest segment of the entire Brazilian iGaming carnival.
iGaming Brazil in 2025: Key updates
As we have already seen, 2025 has been a rollercoaster year for iGaming in Brazil. While regulation brought hope for a safer and more transparent market, players and operators still face challenges. Here are some of the biggest updates from the iGaming Brazilian market so far.
Google Ads policy update for iGaming Brazil
Starting January 1, 2025, only licensed gambling and betting operators are allowed to run ads on Google in Brazil. Operators must provide a valid license from the Ministry of Finance to continue advertising.
Read more: New tightened gambling advertisements policy for Google in Brazil
YouTube restrictions on gambling ads for Brazil
The Ministry of Sports has requested the Ministry of Justice to take action against misleading gambling advertisements on YouTube, particularly those involving influencers who promote illegal platforms.
Read more: No more deceptive gambling advertisements on Brazilian YouTube
Football betting ban proposal
After coming up with the idea to limit betting ads on TV, Senator Eduardo Girão has called for a ban on betting in Brazilian football, citing concerns over addiction to the sport.
Read more: Brazil considers a potential ban on football betting
No more national symbols in iGaming Brazil
Starting February 2025, new regulations prohibit the use of national symbols, currency symbols, and banknotes or coins in Brazilian gambling advertisements to prevent misleading promotions.
Read more: No national symbols in gambling ads
New geolocation system for state lotteries
The Brazilian government has implemented a new geolocation system against the Rio de Janeiro State Lottery to ensure compliance with regional regulations and prevent unauthorized access.
Read more: Brazil implements new geolocation system
What’s next for iGaming in Brazil?
Brazil’s regulatory transition is still in progress, but the direction is unmistakable: a market where compliance, transparency, and operational quality will define who stays competitive. Stakeholders who anticipate upcoming changes, rather than react to them, will have the advantage.
2026 is set to be the year when strategies solidify, the audience becomes more informed, and the winners of Brazil’s iGaming race start to stand out. Operators and affiliates who want to understand how this momentum fits into the broader LatAm picture, and want to debut in the market, our detailed guide on iGaming Affiliate Marketing in LATAM is a good place to start.
iGaming Brazil: FAQs
What is the current state of iGaming in Brazil?
In 2025, Brazil’s iGaming market is growing rapidly with both licensed and unlicensed operators. New regulations aim to improve player protection, licensing, and transparency.
Is online gambling legal in Brazil?
As of January 1, 2025, online betting and iGaming are regulated under federal law. Operators must hold a valid license from the Ministry of Finance to operate legally.
What are the trends for iGaming Brazil in 2026?
Growth is expected in licensed online casinos, sports betting, and affiliate marketing. Operators who combine trust, compliance, and technology will dominate the market.
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