Brazil Strengthens Regulations for Responsible Gambling
On October 1, Brazil’s Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) issued Ordinance No. 2217, published in the Official Gazette, introducing significant revisions to the country’s Responsible Gambling Policy and Instruction No. 22. These updates require licensed betting operators to prohibit access to fixed-odds betting platforms for individuals receiving government social assistance, including beneficiaries of Bolsa Família and the Benefício de Prestação Continuada (BPC).
The ordinance follows precautionary measures issued by the Federal Supreme Court (STF) through Direct Actions of Unconstitutionality (ADIs) Nos. 7721 and 7723, as well as a ruling by the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) in case No. TC 023.126/2024-8. Through these interventions, the SPA aims to fortify social protections and reduce the potential harms of problem gambling among economically vulnerable populations.
Expanded Restrictions on Gambling Participation
The revised regulation amends SPA/MF Ordinance No. 1.231, Article 8, clearly delineating categories of individuals who must be denied access to betting services. These include:
Individuals formally diagnosed with gambling addiction (ludopathy) by a qualified mental health professional
Persons barred from gambling due to administrative or judicial rulings;
Recipients of Bolsa Família (Law No. 14.601/2023) and BPC (Law No. 8.742/1993).
By expanding the scope of restricted groups, the government emphasizes its commitment to ensuring gambling remains a regulated form of entertainment, rather than a potential source of financial risk for socially and economically vulnerable citizens.
Obligations of Betting Operators
Under Instruction No. 22, operators are tasked with implementing systematic verification procedures through the Sistema de Gestão de Apostas (Sigap), the central platform for managing betting accounts in Brazil. The system enables operators to cross reference player data with social welfare databases to identify individuals who are prohibited from gambling.
These checks must occur at three key stages:
Account registration – Prospective users flagged as “Impedido – Programa Social” must be denied registration.
First login of each day – If an active account is later identified as belonging to a social benefit recipient, it must be suspended within three days.
Every 15 days – Operators must conduct a comprehensive review of all active users to detect any who have recently entered welfare programs.
The system relies on the CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas) and produces one of two statuses for each user: “Impedido – Programa Social” or “Não Impedido”.
Account Closure and Refund Procedures
When an account is flagged, operators are required to notify the user within 24 hours, explaining the reason for the suspension. The user then has two days to withdraw any remaining funds. If no action is taken, the operator must refund the balance directly to the registered bank account. All interactions and actions must be logged and securely retained for a minimum of five years to maintain full regulatory transparency.
Promoting Responsible Market Growth
Brazil’s regulated gambling industry is experiencing rapid growth under this updated legal framework. Nevertheless, the SPA underscores that market expansion must be accompanied by robust consumer protections. By restricting participation for Bolsa Família and BPC recipients, the government ensures that public social welfare funds are not diverted to gambling, reflecting a proactive approach to protecting vulnerable communities.
The introduction of continuous, automated monitoring represents a move toward a data-driven, accountable and socially responsible regulatory model. These measures extend beyond merely blocking high-risk groups they signal a broader commitment to sustainable oversight and responsible industry growth.
Conclusion
The issuance of Ordinance No. 2217 and Instruction No. 22 marks a decisive step toward institutionalizing responsible gambling practices in Brazil. By linking betting eligibility to social welfare status, the country is establishing one of Latin America’s most rigorous frameworks for socially conscious gambling regulation. Moving forward, the success of these measures will depend on operators’ ability to comply with enhanced requirements and the overall impact of these policies on Brazil’s rapidly evolving gambling landscape.
