Legalizing sports betting (2018 law and further amendments) - Brazil

Legalising sports betting: what happened and how it works

1) Picture in one paragraph

In 2018, Brazil legalized fixed sports coefficients as a lottery modality (without detailed rules). In 2023, the temporary measure MP 1. 182 updated the framework and paved the way for a comprehensive Law No. 14. 790/2023, which has already described licensing, taxes, advertising, Responsible Gaming and sports integrity. In 2024-2025, the Secretariat of Prizes and Rates of the Ministry of Finance (SPA/MF) began to issue by-laws (portariums) with technical standards and procedures for issuing permits - actually launching the market.

2) Starting point: Law No. 13. 756/2018

Set "apostas de quota fixa" (fixed coefficients) as a valid lottery form - offline and online.

He envisaged that specific rules would be issued by the executive branch (at that time there were none).

He ordered the budget distribution of revenues (social funds, sports, etc.).

This rule created a legal opportunity, but the market was waiting for regulations.

3) Turning point: MP 1. 182/2023 (interim measure)

MP 1. 182/2023 changed Law 13. 756 and removed the exclusivity of the federation to operate "fixed coefficients," indicating a course towards an authorization model with payment for the right to work, taxes and compliance/advertising duties. The measure became a bridge to the final law.

4) Systematization: Law No. 14. 790/2023 (December 2023)

Law 14. 790/23 turned the fragments into a complete framework for betting on real sporting events and for online games, defined the roles of the Ministry of Finance and SPA/MF, established basic requirements for operators and advertising, and strengthened the sports integrity unit. Key elements:

Authorization of the Ministry of Finance is mandatory; only authorized legal entities can work.
Product categories and "electronic channel" definitions.
Requirements for local presence/compliance and limitation of the circle of admitted beneficiaries.
WG (Responsible Gaming): age 18 +, self-control tools, help channels.
Sports integrity: cooperation with leagues/federations, bans on insider betting, mechanisms for monitoring manipulations.

5) Implementation through SPA/MF orders in 2024-2025

In 2024, SPA/MF began publishing portaries in stages:

SPA/MF Portaria No. 1. 207/2024 - technical requirements for online games and live studios (including crash games, card games, roulette, "linear," etc.): certification, reporting, requirements for providers.
Additional portary packages - for submission for authorization, AML/KYC standards, advertising responsibility, terms of adaptation of existing companies.
This filled the law with practical content (procedures, forms, deadlines) and launched a mass filing window.

6) Taxes, fees and money

Authorization fees and fiscal parameters are fixed in package 2023-2024; public statements by the authorities emphasized the contribution and transition calendar.

In 2024-2025, the government separately emphasized the ban on lending/debt rates, the fight against gambling addiction and sanctions for working without authorization; operators without an application were subject to suspension.

7) Advertising and player protection

Advertising should be responsible, without targeting vulnerable groups; mandatory warnings, RG messages, prohibitions on involving minors.

The Ministry of Finance and the regulator emphasized the priority of the integrity of sports and channels of interaction with law enforcement agencies and federations.

8) Enforcement: Blocking and clearing the "gray zone"

At the implementation stage in 2024-2025, the authorities began to block irregular sites and raise the bar for compliance with new standards (offices in Brazil, AML/KYC, advertising codes). In parallel, communication was conducted about the risks of addiction and about acceptable payment practices.

9) What it means for market participants

Operators

We need: SPA/MF authorization, local presence/representation, AML/KYC procedures, 2FA, logging, contracts with leagues for integrity, compliance with technical requirements (certification of content, providers, live studios).

Readiness for ADR/Ombudsman and for times of review/suspension in case of non-compliance.

Sports clubs/leagues

Partnerships with betting brands are possible within the framework of advertising rules; integrity protocols, anti-manipulation staff training, insider restraints are expected.

Players (consumers)

Access to authorized platforms with understandable payments, limit/self-exclusion tools and a ban on credit rates. The authorities emphasize the importance of protecting households and transparency of payments.

10) Chronology (cheat sheet)

2018: Law No. 13. 756 - legalization of fixed-odds as lotteries (without detailed rules).

July 2023: MP 1. 182/2023 - updated frame, course for the authorization model.

Dec. 2023: Law No. 14. 790/2023 - comprehensive regulation of betting and online games.

2024-2025: SPA/MF Portary Package (incl. No. 1. 207/2024 according to technical standards), submission procedures, adaptation deadlines; increased surveillance and blocking of "irregular" sites.

11) Frequent questions (short)

Is it possible to operate without authorization, "according to the old rules"? No, it isn't. Law 14. 790 and SPA/MF portaries require permission and compliance with new standards - non-compliance leads to blocking and sanctions.

What about online games (not sports)? Technical requirements and lists of game types for the online environment and live studios are specified in the portaries of 2024.

How is advertising changing? There are mandatory RG messages, age restrictions, a ban on toxic practices and enhanced controls.

12) View to 2026-2030

Secondary adjustment is expected (standards of data providers, integration of integrity platforms, unification of AML/KYC and reporting), as well as selective issuance of licenses and expansion of official sports and betting partnerships with a strict RG agenda. Separately, new fiscal and procedural clarifications are possible (including the settlement of "historical" tax issues), which is already being discussed at the level of Congress and the Ministry of Finance.

13) Practical checklist

To operators

1. Prepare a dossier for authorization (ownership structure, compliance with the "purity" of beneficiaries, financial stability).

2. Configure AML/KYC, 2FA, log storage, SPA/MF reporting.

3. Certify content/studios by portaries, implement default RG tools.

4. Conclude integrity agreements/protocols with leagues/federations.

Clubs/leagues

1. Check the status of partners (authorized/in progress).

2. Include integrity codes and insider restrictions in contracts.

To players

1. Use only authorized sites/applications.

2. Activate limits, do not use credit/loan for bets.

3. In case of dispute - follow support/ADR procedures.

The reform of sports betting in Brazil is the path from declarative legalization in 2018 to a real, well-regulated market after 2023. Today, the industry lives according to the rules of authorization, compliance, responsible play and sports integrity, and the regulator through portaries brings the frame to operational maturity. This increases consumer protection and transparency for sports - and sets clear requirements for companies that want to work in white in the region's largest market.