Brazil: 25 accused in "Operation Las Vegas" Jogo do Bicho ring
The Special Action Group to Combat Organized Crime (Gaeco) of the Public Ministry of Paraná, through its unit in Londrina, filed a formal complaint against 25 suspects accused of 42 crimes related to the operation of a large illegal betting network in Brazil.
According to the MPPR, the investigation — called “Operation Las Vegas” — dismantled a criminal structure led by a businessman from Londrina, responsible for running an online platform dedicated to Jogo do Bicho, a traditional Brazilian underground lottery.
The group allegedly used shell companies, front accounts, and covert transactions to launder large sums of money derived from illegal activity, through the purchase of real estate, luxury cars, and other assets.
The charges include crimes of criminal organization, money laundering, ideological falsehood, and criminal misdemeanor, as well as a request for asset confiscation amounting to R$ 197 million (USD 37 million) and compensation for collective moral damages.
The operation was carried out in two phases: the first on January 30, 2025, and the second on October 16 of the same year, after it was confirmed that the group continued operating despite the precautionary measures imposed.
During this second phase, authorities executed five preventive detention orders, seven search warrants, and two alternative precautionary measures in the cities of Londrina (PR), Tupã (SP), and Itapema (SC).
The investigations also revealed that some members of the group were warned prior to the first raid, which allowed them to flee and destroy evidence. Even so, prosecutors confirmed that the digital platform remained active even after the initial operations, publishing and receiving online bets.
The MPPR indicated that the operation remains open, aiming to trace the full financial flow of the network and recover assets obtained illicitly, in one of the largest recent actions against Jogo do Bicho in Brazil.
Tags: Brasil, illegal betting, jogo do bicho