Congressman Jorge Goetten is pressing Brasília officials to crack down on illegal gambling, meeting with Régis Dudena, Secretary of Prizes and Betting at the Ministry of Finance. Goetten is backing Bill 5144/2023, which directly targets unlicensed operators undermining Brazil’s newly regulated betting market.
Why Illegal Operators Threaten the Regulated Market
Brazil legalised fixed-odds sports betting earlier this year, but unlicensed sites continue operating unchecked. Licensed companies face taxes, compliance costs, and consumer protection rules, while illegal competitors avoid these obligations and gain unfair advantages.
“Without punishment, the serious operators end up paying for the bad ones, which compromises the credibility and balance of the market,” Goetten told regulators.
What the Criminalisation Bill Would Change
Bill 5144/2023 would make unlicensed betting a criminal offence, not just a regulatory issue. It also criminalises related marketing activities like advertising, promotions, and sponsorships, extending liability to marketing partners who support illegal operators.
This push runs parallel to another major proposal, Bill 2.234/22, which aims to legalise casinos, bingo halls, horseracing, video bingo and the traditional jogo do bicho. One Brazilian city has even pre-approved local casino rules ahead of federal debate.
How Stronger Enforcement Could Reshape the Industry
Current enforcement lacks real penalties, giving illegal operators little reason to stop. Goetten’s proposal would introduce criminal consequences, potentially levelling the playing field for licensed operators investing heavily in compliance and tax obligations.
With Brazil’s legal gambling market expanding rapidly, the bill highlights growing urgency to protect legitimate businesses from entrenched illegal networks that still dominate parts of the industry.
