Brazil establishes oversight team to monitor sports betting platforms for legal compliance

Brazil’s Ministry of Sports has formalized new oversight measures for the country’s growing sports betting market by creating a dedicated technical team to conduct regular evaluations of online betting platforms.

The initiative, announced through MEsp Ordinance No. 31 published on April 7, aims to strengthen regulatory compliance and safeguard the integrity of sports-related wagering.

The ordinance assigns the National Secretariat for Sports Betting and Economic Development of Sports to lead the new oversight process. A team composed of one director and three general coordinators will be tasked with analyzing the activities of licensed bookmakers to ensure adherence to current laws and regulations.

Key areas of the team’s responsibilities include verifying that operators are using the authorized commercial brand registered with the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) under the Ministry of Finance, and reviewing the sports betting options offered to ensure they align with the list of eligible sports defined by MEsp Ordinance No. 125, dated December 30, 2024. Any subsequent updates to this list will also be monitored.

The technical team is also charged with identifying regulatory violations such as the promotion of unauthorized bets or the absence of adequate measures to prevent underage participation. When non-compliance is detected, a detailed report will be submitted to the SPA, which may then take appropriate enforcement actions.

The Directorate of Monitoring and Evaluation of Sports Betting will coordinate with the Departments of Promotion, Entrepreneurship, and Digital Economy in Sports, eSports, and Integrity in Sports Betting, which will provide technical support according to their respective mandates.

The ordinance also allows for the development of a new digital platform to enhance the integrity of operations in the sector. To strengthen its capabilities, the Ministry may establish partnerships with regulatory agencies, academic institutions, technology companies, and international organizations focused on compliance and digital governance.