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Brazil’s Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) has introduced new procedures for identifying and blocking payment transactions linked to unauthorised fixed-odds betting operators.
Portaria SPA/MF No. 2,750 an ordinance published on 14 September, establishes procedures for financial institutions, payment institutions and payment-arrangement providers to prevent, identify and repress transactions associated with illegal betting. The measure replaces Portaria SPA/MF No. 566 of March 2025.
The rules require obligated institutions to maintain controls capable of identifying transactions that may be intended, directly or indirectly, to facilitate betting by unauthorised operators. Institutions must also prevent transactions involving accounts that have been subject to a blocking notification from the SPA.
The portaria establishes a formal process for investigating potentially irregular activity before the SPA orders a block. Once the SPA issues a blocking notification, the financial institution has 24 hours to block the identified operator’s accounts and prevent the movement of funds.
It must then notify the SPA within 48 hours that the blocking measures have been implemented.
The regulation also requires institutions to monitor indicators that may suggest attempts to process payments for illegal betting, including unusual transaction patterns and activity involving payment links, Pix keys and other payment mechanisms.
The SPA will maintain information on authorised operators, including their corporate names, CNPJ numbers (tax registration numbers), brands and domains, to support the identification of unauthorised activity.
The Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gambling (IBJR) welcomed the measure, describing the portaria as an important advance in combating the illegal market and strengthening the regulated fixed-odds betting sector.
The association said restricting financial flows was one of the most effective measures for tackling illegal operators, arguing that preventing the movement of funds could help protect consumers from fraud and abusive practices while preserving the integrity of the financial system.
The IBJR also said the measure would help create more balanced competitive conditions for authorised operators, which are subject to technical, tax and consumer-protection obligations.
The association reaffirmed its willingness to cooperate with authorities on implementation of the measure and said rapid implementation would be important to strengthen efforts against unauthorised betting.
