Brazil tightens fund blocking for illegal betting
Enforcement & compliance2 min read
Brazil’s government has strengthened measures to identify illegal fixed-odds betting operators and block related funds under Decree 13.033, signed on 19 June. The SPA will notify financial and payment institutions, which must block existing amounts and prevent new transactions within 24 hours after receiving a formal finding.
Brazil’s government has strengthened procedures for blocking funds linked to illegal fixed-odds betting under Decree 13.033. President Luís Inácio Lula da Silva signed the decree on 19 June.
When the SPA identifies an unauthorised operator, it will issue an official finding documenting the illegal activity. The regulator will then notify financial and payment institutions, which have 24 hours to block existing funds and prevent new transactions related to the illegal betting activity. Institutions must report on their compliance within 48 hours, while the central bank must be notified to oversee implementation. A National Monetary Council resolution will govern the operating procedures for blocking accounts and funds.
The National Public Security Secretariat, Senasp, will conduct the administrative proceedings and notify the affected party so it can challenge the action. The proceedings may include inquiries and requests for documents and information from financial institutions and public bodies. Senasp is responsible for measures needed to prepare the case, including presenting evidence concerning the facts and the defence.
Restricted funds declared forfeited at the end of the administrative process will go to the National Public Security Fund to finance crime prevention and enforcement. Account blocks will remain in place until a judicial deposit is made, and prosecutors may ask the court for further measures to preserve the funds. The measures follow Congress’s approval of an anti-factions law proposed by the government, which allows the forfeiture of illegal betting companies’ assets.
Finance Minister Dario Durigan said the measure restricts unauthorised operators’ use of the financial system. Justice and Public Security Minister Wellington Lima said the decree allows funds linked to illegal betting to be used against organised crime.
Cooperation between the SPA and telecommunications agency Anatel has led to the blocking of more than 50 thousand illegal domains since October 2024, according to Brazil’s government. Monitoring improvements include a virtual laboratory designed to speed up the identification and blocking of illegal websites. Actions against illegal advertising have removed 780 profiles and 306 posts promoting illegal betting, alongside 190 requests for unauthorised posts. The SPA works with advertising self-regulation council Conar and the Digital Council of Brazil on this effort.
A centralised self-exclusion platform became available through the SPA in December 2025, according to Brazil’s government. Users can request a block on their access to every federally authorised platform in a single operation. The platform has received more than 650 thousand self-blocking requests so far.