The Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) has a new head after former interim Daniele Cardoso was appointed to a permanent position in the role.
He will be in charge of the agency responsible for overseeing and regulating the country’s betting and prize-based gaming sector under the Ministry of Finance.
The role includes issuing licenses to operators, setting and enforcing compliance rules, monitoring betting activity for integrity risks such as match-fixing and fraud, and ensuring operators meet consumer protection and anti-money laundering standards
Cardoso to focus on refining licensing process
The new head will have little time to waste before getting to work, with a packed agenda of to-do items for the agency over the coming year while battling political forces against the sector.
According to the new regulatory agenda for the 2026/27 biennium, published by the SPA last month, all focus is on a review of operator licensing, examining approval, rejection and suspension criteria. The process is expected to be organized in conjunction with a review of payment-blocking measures tied to illegal betting.
The regulator will also assess rules under Normative Ordinance No. 566, which governs reporting of payment methods used for illicit bets. Pix-based payment blocking has emerged as a key enforcement tool against offshore operators. Affiliate advertising rules will also be reviewed.
In Q2, the SPA will shift focus to regulating fixed-odds sports betting and lottery products offered via physical terminals. By Q3, attention will turn to strengthening responsible gambling measures, including tools to help bettors monitor their activity.
The regulator plans to enhance oversight in Q4 by improving monitoring, inspection and sanctions frameworks. It will also explore mechanisms to compensate bettors harmed by operator violations.
Looking ahead to 2027, the SPA will review anti-money laundering rules, update procedures tied to public savings products, and assess lottery regulations under Caixa Econômica Federal, which currently holds a monopoly on federal lotteries.
Brazil to adjust online betting rules to combat addiction concerns
Meanwhile, Brazil is preparing to tighten rules on online betting as officials respond to mounting pressure from retailers linking the sector to weaker consumer spending and rising household debt. Vice President Geraldo Alckmin said new restrictions will target mobile gaming, citing concerns over gambling addiction.
He added: “We also discussed the issue of… bets… They weren’t regulated, it was all clandestine. So it was regulated, taxes were applied, and there will be further tightening to prevent this mobile gaming, which is a very worrying thing, leading to gambling addiction.”
The government has already moved to regulate and tax betting, aiming to formalize a previously unregulated market. Officials say the next phase will focus on reducing harm, particularly among frequent online users, as scrutiny of the sector intensifies.
Retail groups have pushed for stricter controls, arguing betting growth is weighing on household finances. Industry representatives dispute those claims, pointing to official data showing retail sales growth and saying there is no proven link between gambling and consumer downturns.
Data from Brazil’s Finance Ministry shows most bettors spend relatively small amounts monthly, though a minority accounts for higher spending. Analysts warn that overly strict regulation could push consumers toward illegal operators, potentially undermining enforcement efforts.
New study shines light on monthly betting patterns of Brazilians
A majority of Brazilians who participate in sports betting and online gaming spend modest amounts each month, according to Finance Ministry data obtained via transparency requests. The figures provide insight into user behavior and demographics across the regulated market.
Men make up 68.2% of bettors, while women account for 31.8%. The largest age group is 31 to 40, followed by those aged 25 to 30 and 24 and under, with participation declining steadily among older users.
More than half of bettors spend up to R$50 per month, while smaller segments report moderate spending levels. However, nearly one in five users spend more than R$1,000 monthly, representing a significant share of overall activity.
Industry representatives say the data shows betting is largely a low-cost form of entertainment for most users. They warn that stricter restrictions could push consumers toward unregulated markets lacking oversight and consumer protections.
Cardoso’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Brazil’s fast-evolving betting market, as regulators balance expansion with growing pressure to tighten oversight. How effectively the SPA implements its agenda, while managing competing political, economic and consumer interests, is likely to shape the sector’s trajectory in the years ahead.
