Brazil’s Ministry of Finance blocks over 25,000 illegal websites in one year
Brazil’s Ministry of Finance blocks over 25,000 illegal websites in one year
According to Brazil’s Ministry of Finance in 2025, the Secretary of Prizes and Betting (SPA) recorded the blocking of over 25,000 illegal websites. Meanwhile the Centralized Self-Exclusion Platform, one of the main initiatives of the Secretary in 2025, received more than 217,000 self-exclusion requests.
The illegal websites were blocked in partnership with the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel). The 79 companies authorized to operate in the country reported that 25.2 million Brazilians placed bets throughout 2025.
Within the SPA, the Subsecretariat for Monitoring and Inspection registered, last year, 132 legal proceedings involving 133 betting companies. Of these proceedings, 80 are currently in process for penalty application.
To hinder the financial transactions of illegal companies, the Ministry of Finance also continued monitoring and regulating financial institutions (IFs) and payment institutions (IPs). By the end of 2025, 54 IFs and IPs reported 1,255 communications to the SPA related to 1,687 individuals suspected of making fund transfers to unauthorized betting companies. As a result, 550 bank accounts were reported closed, with 265 already identified as illegal.
“The year 2025 marked the first time the State was fully present in this market,” said the Secretary of Prizes and Betting, Regis Dudena. “We received data that allows us to objectively understand the sector, as well as tools for monitoring compliance with the created rules,” he continued. “We now have the economic dimensioning and information about individuals, which helps us prevent gambling issues and allows us to work together with other bodies, such as the Ministries of Health, Sports, and Justice. Additionally, we have enhancements like the Centralized Self-Exclusion Platform, which allows gamblers to remove themselves from gaming and stop receiving targeted advertising,” he added.
When it came to combatting illegal advertising on social media, 412 inspection processes against digital influencers were concluded, resulting in the removal of 324 influencer profiles and 229 posts.
The detection and takedown of illegal profiles and advertisements were carried out in cooperation with the National Council for Advertising Self-Regulation (Conar) and the Digital Council of Brazil, which includes some of the country’s leading tech companies including Google, Meta, Uber, and TikTok.
“Since its creation, the Secretary has undergone a consistent evolution curve. In 2024, we structured the market rules; in 2025, we advanced in monitoring and inspection, working intensively to combat illegal activities. In 2026, these activities will continue to develop further to ensure the protection of individuals and the popular economy. It is important to clarify that regulation exists to be observed. The SPA will be attentive to compliance, and those who do not comply will be subject to the penalties provided by law and regulation,” Dudena said.
The Ministry has also released additional details on the demographic profile of players. Among the 25.2 million Brazilians who placed bets last year, 68.3% were men and 31.7% were women. This information was included in the accumulated report of the Betting Management System (Sigap) from the Ministry of Finance, which receives daily data from all bets placed by the 79 companies authorized to operate fixed-odds betting.
In terms of age groups, the largest number of bettors (28.6%) are between 31 and 40 years old. Those aged 18 to 24 account for 22.7%, which is the same percentage as individuals between 25 and 30 years old. The demographic of 41 to 50 years old represents 16.7% of the total bettors, while those aged 51 to 60 make up 6.6%. Lastly, bettors over 61 years account for 2.7% of the total.
Total Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) for authorised companies, was approximately R$ 37 billion for the year.
