The law came into force on March 17, 2026, following its signing in 2025. It is applicable to a wide range of digital services and products available in Brazil or likely to be accessed by children and adolescents there. Under this framework, providers offering content, products, or services unsuitable or prohibited for under-18s must use reliable age-verification mechanisms. Under these circumstances, a standard “I am 18” checkbox will no longer be sufficient.
That suggests that gambling is not being viewed as a niche area within the broader debate about online safety. In the government’s description of the new system, betting content is grouped with pornography and other prohibited material that children should be protected from. Also, the framework suggests that parents should receive clearer tools to monitor children’s usage.
Why Loot Boxes Are Part of the Same Debate
The reform extends beyond sportsbooks and casinos. In Brazil, the authorities have included loot boxes as part of the same child protection dialogue. That suggests that randomized paid reward systems are no longer being viewed as harmless when children are involved. Under the implementation rules set forth by the ministry of justice, electronic games with reward-box mechanics must disable that functionality for users who have not verified they are over 18, or offer a version of the game without it.
That takes the scope of the reform to the game design level. Instead of focusing on ad displays and registration, Brazil is now forcing platforms to rethink the interaction of access, monetization, and age-related features inside the product. From a practical point of view, the policy combines gambling friction, access for minors, and platform accountability into one question.
Illegal Supply Remains the Harder Test
The Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming welcomed the move, repeating a common argument within the gaming sector: while licensed operators are subject to oversight, the bigger problem in protecting children is the proliferation of illegal operators. The concern is not theoretical either. A study backed by IBJR and LCA said illegal operators accounted for 41% to 51% of Brazil’s online betting market in H1 2025, which is more than the regulated sector.
This is where the real test begins. The Digital ECA provides Brazil a stronger basis upon which to regulate age restrictions and control the exposure of minors. However, the impact on the market will depend on how the regulators follow through. If the authorities are able to provide detailed guidance and sustained pressure on illegal operators, the law could become a real compliance benchmark for Latin America.
