Unlicensed Operators Control More Than Licensed Ones in Brazil, Research Reveals : PMPMedia.io

By Arijit Roul - 17 Oct, 2025 More about the author

Research indicates unlicensed operators have captured over half of Brazil’s online gambling market, putting revenue and integrity at risk.

Main Findings

Unlicensed operators have taken 51% of Brazil’s online gambling income.
The government increases its actions to stop unlicensed websites and payment methods.

Brazil’s Football Sponsorship Faces Threat from Unlicensed Betting Boom

Brazil’s football sponsorship sector might decline soon. Unlicensed betting platforms keep growing their portion of online gambling income. International gaming consultancy Yield Sec provided this information. Licensed operators possess 49% of the market currently. They earn approximately BR 17.4bn ($3.17bn). Unlicensed platforms control 51% of the market. Their earnings reach about BR 18.1bn. Every club in Brazil’s Série A has betting sponsors now. Almost 90% show operators as primary shirt sponsors.

Growing unlicensed platforms threaten sponsorship income. Sports integrity suffers, too. Unlicensed operators avoid monitoring requirements. Licensed companies must follow reporting rules. Brazil registered 167 licensed operators in early 2025. Over 2,300 unregulated operators existed simultaneously. The consultancy called Brazil’s legalisation process “strong but fragile.” Without stricter enforcement, 75% of the market might become unlicensed by 2026.

Government Targets Unlicensed Gambling Operations

Football players received penalties for betting violations recently in Brazil’s sector. Officials have strengthened actions against unlicensed betting lately. The Ministry of Finance’s Secretary of Prizes and Bets works with telecom regulator Anatel. Together, they find and stop unlicensed websites and payment networks. An analyst stated facts about crime in markets. “If you don’t eliminate crime, they’ll find a way to occupy your market.”

The report predicts sponsorship problems. Unlicensed operators exceeding 60% will cause sponsorship cancellations to rise dramatically. Half of existing partnerships might vanish if the percentage hits 75%.