Brazil's gambling regulator inks deal to tackle sports betting fraud
In an effort to tackle sports betting fraud, the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) of Brazil’s Ministry of Finance has signed a Technical Cooperation Agreement with Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360). This is the fifth such agreement that SPA has entered into, following similar partnerships with other organisations in October 2024.
Deal will ensure transparency of the sector
The agreement, which will remain in place over the next five years, focuses on exchanging data and raising awareness of issues related to betting integrity. SPA will be assisted by IC360 in identifying potential match-fixing and focusing on the transparency of the sector. Scott Sadin, IC360 chief operating officer (COO), said, “Our mission is to foster a culture of accountability and provide a detection and early warning system for all stakeholders to ensure that integrity is respected and sustainable for the Brazilian community.”
Regis Dudena, Secretary of Prizes and Bets of the MF, said, “Integrity entities such as IC360 play a fundamental role in supporting SPA’s activities, especially in identifying signs of match-fixing, in addition to the structured exchange of information.
“With this agreement, both SPA and its partner integrity agencies will expand their monitoring and inspection capabilities, promoting greater security and transparency in the sector.”
Regulatory changes in Brazil
The partnership follows recent regulatory changes in Brazil. This includes the SPA’s 2025-26 agenda, which established 13 subjects that will be regulated during the year. In February, SPA launched a public consultation to refine its regulatory framework for the country’s legal betting market. The Ministry issued this on 10 February 2025, and the consultation ran for 45 days until 27 March 2025. SPA invites input from operators, suppliers, and industry stakeholders via the government’s Participa + Brazil platform. An online public hearing was also scheduled for 21 February.
The SPA also established a directive requiring all authorised operators to submit their anti-money laundering and terrorist financing prevention (PLD/FT) policies. At the heart of Brazil’s new iGaming landscape lies a robust legal framework built on two major laws: Law No. 13.756/2018, which introduced fixed-odds betting, and Law No. 14.790/2023, which extended regulation to online casino games and virtual sports.
The Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA/MF) now oversees all operators, requiring them to obtain licenses. Operators must meet strict eligibility standards. They need to establish a base in Brazil, partner through a joint venture, or ensure at least 20 percent local ownership. Foreign firms also have the option to enter via mergers and acquisitions. The Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPI) on Match-Fixing and Sports Betting in the Federal Senate concluded its work on 19 March, calling for indictments and stricter rules for Brazilian football.
