Federal Prosecutors Open Review Of Brazil’s Betting Regulation Under Lula Government

Brazil’s Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office (MPF) has launched an inquiry into online betting regulation under the Lula government.

The investigation began through an administrative procedure focused on the Ministry of Finance’s monitoring of fixed-odds betting operators. Prosecutors assess whether operators and regulators are complying with Laws No. 14,790/2023 and No. 13,756/2018.

According to reports from Veja magazine’s Radar column, the inquiry will run for one year and seeks to evaluate the federal government’s effectiveness in supervising the sector.

Inquiry Extends Beyond Regulatory Compliance

Prosecutors are examining whether Brazil’s public health system is properly addressing gambling harm. A key area of focus will be the prevention and treatment of pathological gambling.

The review comes during a period of rapid market development. Brazil currently has 190 betting platforms licensed by the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA), making it one of the fastest-growing markets globally.

Sports betting was legalised in Brazil through Law No. 13,756 in 2018. After years of legislative debate, the market became fully regulated in 2023 and formally began operating under the new framework in 2025.

SPA Regulations Form Industry Framework

The SPA has introduced a series of ordinances governing operator conduct, supervision and enforcement.

Among the most significant are Ordinance No. 1,225, regulating monitoring and oversight of fixed-odds betting operations, and Ordinance No. 1,233, establishing the sanctioning regime for operators that fail to comply with regulations.

The regulator has also implemented rules around operational monitoring and measures to combat illegal gambling activity.

Responsible Gambling Measures Under Review

Player protection is a central component of Brazil’s regulatory structure.

Ordinance No. 1,231 established responsible gambling requirements, marketing standards and the rights and obligations of both operators and bettors. The regulation also introduced guidelines governing advertising and promotional activities.

In addition, Interministerial Decree No. 37 created a working group dedicated to mental health, gambling harm prevention and support for individuals affected by problematic gambling behaviour.

The MPF’s investigation should determine whether these safeguards are effective as Brazil’s regulated market matures.

Prosecutors have opened an inquiry into legal sports betting under the Lula government. The aim is to assess compliance among fixed-odds betting operators and regulators with an array of ordinances and legislation. Laws No. 14,790/2023 and No. 13,756/2018 are among the list of regulations under review.