Why Responsible Gaming Is Now More Important Than Ever

The number of online betting companies in Brazil grew 153% in the country between 2021 and 2024, going from 840 thousand to 2.1 million. The data comes from a research conducted by the datatech company BigDataCorp, which took into account the number of companies licensed to operate with gambling.

The study showed that the Amazonas (3.49%) is the state with the biggest number of betting companies, followed by Ceará (2.66%) and Maranhão (1.29%). Although the North and Northeast regions concentrate almost 20% of betting companies, 64.22% of the money invested in them is in the state of São Paulo. The Federal District, on the other hand, has the highest average per company, with R$ 16.1 million.

Bets in the Brazilian economy

During the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) on Bets in the Senate, the executive secretary of the Central Bank (BC), Rogério Lucca, stated that between January and March of this year, Brazilians spent up to R$ 30 billion per month on sports betting. Around 93% of this money returns to bettors, according to data from the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA), an agency of the Ministry of Finance.

In September 2024, the BC published a study on the segment and the profile of bettors. Among other things, it revealed that most of the bets of the 24 million players are made via Pix and the age range of consumers is between 20 and 30 years old, while the average value evolves with age – younger people typically invest R$100 per month, while older people spend more than R$ 3,000 per month.

Responsible gambling

Brazil allows the operation of sports betting companies since 2018. With their growth, the debate about gambling addiction gained ground.

Health experts say that the country is experiencing an epidemic of online gambling addiction. According to a survey of the Brazilian Society of Retail and Consumption (SBVC) and AGP Pesquisas, at least 63% of gamblers compromised their family income, while 19% stopped shopping at the supermarket and 11% stopped buying medicine or spending on healthcare.

The impact on families’ income and quality of life is just one of the problems. In addition to money, gambling addiction also affects mental health. In August 2024, the Locomotiva Institute conducted a survey on the epidemic and 60% of respondents stated that gambling affects their emotional state. Among the feelings during the act, 51% said they felt emotional, while 41% said they felt more anxious. Another point that draws attention in the survey is that 30% of respondents stated that online gambling has somehow harmed their personal relationships.

What does the Law say?

To fight addiction, Brazil implemented comprehensive legislation to promote responsible gambling, particularly in the wake of the legalization of online betting. The cornerstone of this regulatory framework is Law No. 14,790/2023, which came into effect on January 1, 2025. This law mandates that betting operators adopt measures to prevent gambling addiction and protect vulnerable individuals.

Key Regulatory Measures

• Operator Responsibilities: Operators have to implement tools that allow bettors to set daily gambling limits, maximum loss thresholds, pause periods, and self-exclusion options. These measures aim to prevent compulsive gambling behaviors and financial harm.
• Player Protection: The regulations emphasize the protection of minors and vulnerable populations. Operators must ensure that all bettors are over 18 years of age and implement systems to prevent underage gambling.
• Advertising Restrictions: Advertising, public relations, and marketing actions for betting operations are regulated to prevent targeting minors and vulnerable individuals. Operators must adhere to specific guidelines to ensure responsible marketing practices.
• National Self-Exclusion Platform: The Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) has prioritized the development of a national platform that allows players to self-exclude from gambling activities. This initiative is part of the 2025–2026 regulatory agenda to enhance responsible gambling and prevent addiction.
• Enhanced Oversight and Penalties: Operators are subject to strict oversight and must comply with regulations to avoid penalties. Non-compliant operators risk suspension or revocation of their licenses.

Contact inplaySoft

inplaySoft está especializada en proporcionar soluciones de iGaming de vanguardia tailored to meet the dynamic needs of today’s gaming operators. Our company has a fully compliant KYC and document checks worldwide and is also fully tailored for the existing and upcoming Brazilian regulations.

At inplaySoft, we view responsible gambling as a cornerstone of ethical iGaming. We believe that the sustainability of the gaming industry is rooted in player protection and fair play. Through advanced monitoring tools, self-exclusion options, and data-driven insights, inplaySoft ensures that players can enjoy their gaming experience safely and responsibly. 

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