Chamber approves project vs. illegal gambling in Brazil
The Communication Commission of the Chamber of Deputies gave the green light to a bill that seeks to toughen the State's response to illegal betting and gambling. The text establishes a new legal framework to strengthen criminal, administrative, technological, and financial action against unauthorized operators, considered by the proposal as any natural or legal person who conducts betting without an official license.
The bill creates a set of tools to close gaps used by illegal platforms, especially in the digital environment and the financial system.
New rules for the financial system and control mechanisms
One of the main areas of action will be the financial control of suspicious transactions. Payment institutions and financial entities must adopt protocols that allow identifying movements linked to irregular operators. These institutions will be required to publish monthly reports with information on blocks carried out, compliance actions, and volume related to detected operations.
The bill highlights that bank secrecy and the General Data Protection Law (LGPD) guarantee that customers’ personal data will not be disclosed. Entities must also consult updated databases of illegal operators, maintained by the Ministry of Finance, and share relevant information about fraud. Non-compliance may result in fines of up to 20 million reais and, in serious or repeat cases, restrictions on the use of TED and Pix.
Specific rules for Pix
The text also assigns the Central Bank the responsibility to regulate mechanisms aimed at preventing the misuse of Pix by unauthorized operators. Measures foreseen include:
- automatic filters of CNAE and Pix keys,
- a transaction mode exclusive for betting,
- integration with risk directories,
- visual markings on statements,
- self-exclusion mechanisms.
Changes approved by the rapporteur
The bill’s rapporteur, Deputy Delegado Paulo Bilynskyj (PL-SP), defended the approval of PL 4044/25, authored by Deputy Paulo Litro (PSD-PR). During the discussion, Bilynskyj proposed removing a limitation that restricted obligations only to financial institutions authorized by the Central Bank.
According to the rapporteur, that restriction would open space for illegal operators to migrate to intermediaries outside the regulatory perimeter. With the accepted amendment, the obligations extend to all payment and financial institutions, including gateways, indirect participants in payment arrangements, and fintechs under special regimes.
Changes in betting law and technological control
The text also amends current legislation to require authorized operators to implement geolocation systems capable of blocking access made via VPN or from abroad. Internet providers must maintain a direct channel with the regulator to comply with blocking orders.
Any advertising or technological service that facilitates the operation of unauthorized betting houses is prohibited. Legal or technical services intended exclusively to obtain official authorization will remain permitted.
New criminal offenses and tougher sanctions
The bill introduces a specific criminal chapter for the sector, with four new offenses:
- Operating or facilitating betting without authorization: penalty of 2 to 6 years in prison.
- Intermediating payments for illegal operators: 2 to 6 years, increased if there is sending abroad or use of anonymity.
- Disseminating irregular propaganda: 1 to 4 years, aggravated if involving minors or digital influencers.
- Obstructing blocking of sites or resources: 2 to 5 years of imprisonment.
Penalties increase in cases of recidivism, use of corporate structures, or mechanisms to conceal identity.
Role of Anatel and next steps in the Chamber
The proposal strengthens the role of the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) in combating illegal sites, including technical actions such as blocking by DNS, SNI, and IP. The bill also coordinates cooperation between the Central Bank, Finance, Anatel, and the Coaf, provides for a unified database of irregular operators, and creates an official channel for anonymous reports.
Now, the bill will be analyzed by the commissions of Finance and Taxation and Constitution and Justice, and subsequently must pass through the Plenary of the Chamber.
Tags: Brasil, illegal betting sites, illegal betting Brazil, illegal betting block