Betting operators in Brazil are upset because Apple and Google do not list their betting apps in the two main app stores. New rules that let licensed firms work legally started in January.
Because of these rules, licensed companies may now offer bets in Brazil. Even so, both the Play Store and the Apple Store still block their apps. At the moment, only Caixa Econômica Federal lottery apps can be downloaded.
In private talks with Brazil’s Treasury Ministry, betting-company executives shared their frustration with the tech giants. They had expected official apps this year, seeing them as vital for trust and user safety.
Veja asked Google about the issue. In April the company repeated that betting apps are banned on the Play Store, and it gave no sign that the policy might change. Apple did not answer Veja’s questions.
Online-Gambling Executives Comment on Apple and Google
Alex Rose, CEO of the betting-tech firm inplaySoft, said, “Apple and Google’s bans are a big mistake. Mobile apps are key for a smoother and, above all, safer player experience.”
Leonardo Henrique Roscoe Bessa, adviser to Brazil’s OAB Federal Council and a partner at Betlaw, agreed. “The best path is to set joint technical rules. Apps should include solid age checks, betting limits, and tools against addiction. Banning them does not fix the issue—responsible regulation does.”
Feliphe Almeida, CTO of LuckBet, added that official licensed apps would give bettors a safe place and let companies create new ways to connect with users. He noted, “Such a service strengthens the sector and protects consumers.”
João Fraga, CEO of Paag, said that real change needs the whole digital world to move together. “Blocking licensed operators slows the legal market and leaves room for illegal options,” he warned. “Support from big tech platforms is crucial for a safe user experience. It also spurs innovation and helps a fast-growing sector in Brazil.”
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