Brazilian SPA Revises Rules on Sports Betting Advertising

New Requirements: Core Provisions

The introduced standards apply to online traffic suppliers, streamers, media companies, and other relevant entities involved in gambling promotion in Brazil. They are now held responsible for the betting content they broadcast.

Before initiating a marketing campaign, these parties must verify their associates’ certificates. If the licences are valid, they will be listed in the registry of the country’s Ministry of Finance.

Among other rules are:

1. Responsible gambling warning. The relevant cautions must be prominently displayed in advertisements. These captions notify consumers of the potential risks associated with real-money gaming.
2. Sportsbook information. Commercials are regarded as compliant if they include operators’ authorisation numbers, CNPJs, and brand names. This data should be gathered and stored so that users can access it throughout the advertising campaign.
3. Marketing-related terminology. Commercials must not encourage people to place bets, highlight winnings, or evoke the illusion of gaining “easy money.”
4. Restrictions for commentators. These personnel are now prohibited from recommending bookmakers or stakes when analysing matches. This measure was implemented to distinguish marketing from journalistic/editorial content.

The necessity for regulatory reforms emerged during this summer’s FIFA World Cup, following numerous allegations concerning the volume of wagering ads aired during football matches.

Implications of Failing to Comply

Ignoring legal changes can lead companies and individuals to face penalties, such as:

• an administrative fine of up to 20% of annual turnover;
• a licence suspension for up to 6 months;
• revocation of the permit.

In extreme cases, non-compliant industry participants may be prosecuted under the national Consumer Protection Code. These measures are intended to prevent unauthorised companies from operating within the market.

As indicated in LCA Consultores’ study, about 41–51% of sports betting portals in the country remain unregulated, generating an average of BRL 10.8 billion annually and prompting ongoing government efforts to suppress them.

Expert Commentaries on the Current Situation

Matheus Bastos, Market Analyst and Content Manager at Matching Visions Brasil, considers the new requirements essential for strengthening the legal industry. The expert notes that conscious brands have already been incorporating these standards into their operations. However, with the rules enshrined in law, irresponsible market representatives are now also obliged to conform.

Mr Bastos stated that the newly introduced regulations mandate that all businesses include compliance checks in their daily routines. Consequently, this helps distinguish a transparent, decent share of the sphere from that relying on informality.

He also mentioned that the World Cup revealed the market’s current issues because of its scale, but those who prepared early now face fewer obstacles and gain tangible advantages.

Stay informed about the latest industry news with the Gaminator studio. Our team also provides professional assistance to entrepreneurs in launching legal sports betting businesses anywhere in the world, establishing a solid foundation for further growth and expansion.