Brazil’s Finance Ministry appointed Bruna Cecília Serra Reis to the role of adviser at its Secretariat of Prizes and Betting, following Marcelo Damato’s departure, the report said. Damato was dismissed at his request, effective 12 January, after about two and a half years in the betting-regulation area.
The appointment changes personnel at the ministry responsible for Brazil’s betting regulation.
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Brazil’s Finance Ministry is investigating about 40 betting-platform accounts with balances above R$ 500 mil, including some exceeding R$ 1 million, Finance Minister Dario Durigan said. The inquiry is examining possible money laundering and links to criminal organisations; the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting said R$ 1,325 bilhão remained to be returned to about 26,5 million bettors.
Brazil’s Finance Ministry said it had no study or estimates assessing the effects of a possible ban on fixed-odds betting, in a response to an access-to-information request. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed Provisional Measure No. 1.394/2026 the following afternoon; it prohibits fixed-odds betting operations, offers, intermediation and advertising nationwide, while leaving other legally authorised lottery products unaffected.
Brazil's Ministry of Finance is considering reducing or closing its Secretariat of Prizes and Betting if sports betting and online casinos are prohibited, according to a media report. Options include retaining basic functions to monitor illegal activity and lotteries or ending the secretariat. The report cites projected annual betting revenue of R$2.5bn that would be at risk under a ban; no prohibition has been enacted in the material.
Brazil’s Secretariat of Prizes and Betting issued rules for an accelerated authorisation process for fixed-odds betting companies linked to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Eligible Brazilian FIFA partners or contractors may seek a limited licence for 24 May to 25 August 2027, paying R$1,528,767.12 and establishing a R$2.5m reserve, or apply for a five-year authorisation. Applications are due by 31 October 2026, and event-period licensees may offer bets only on the tournament.
Brazil’s Finance Ministry fined Pixbet Soluções Tecnológicas Ltda. R$814,567.44, according to a published citation notice. The penalty was issued by the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting’s Sanctions Action Subsecretariat after the company could not be located at its registered address. Pixbet has 10 days from publication to pay or appeal; otherwise, the debt may be registered for collection.