Pixbet regains authorisation to operate in Brazil after court injunction
Pixbet, one of Brazil’s most recognised online betting platforms, has achieved a major legal victory that allows it to resume operations in Brazil after a brief suspension. Pixbet isn’t just any betting site; it’s a powerhouse in the Brazilian gambling scene. Known for its strong focus on sports betting, especially football, Pixbet has grown rapidly over the past few years.
The suspension by SPA
Secretaria de Prêmios e Apostas, or the Brazilian Secretary of Prizes and Bets, is the regulatory body overseeing all betting activities in Brazil. On 11 April 2025, they issued a suspension against four betting platforms, including Pixbet.
According to SPA, the companies didn’t meet specific technical certification standards laid out in Ordinance No. 2,104. This includes a list of requirements operators must comply with to run betting operations in Brazil legally. The decision was officially declared via Ordinance No. 787/2025, naming four operators—Pixbet included—who had allegedly failed to comply with the rules.
The other three companies suspended under Ordinance 787 are TQJ-Par Participações Societárias S.A. (Baú Bingo, Tele Sena Bet, and Bet Do Milhão) of the Sílvio Santos Group; 7MBR LTDA (Cbet); and Caixa Loterias S.A. (Betcaixa, Megabet, and Xbet Caixa).
Reasons for suspension
SPA cited failure to meet certification standards. These are not bureaucratic check-boxes to tick. They’re meant to provide fair play, system integrity, and financial transparency. Consider them as digital hygiene checks. They need to present evidence that their systems are secure, reliable, and fair—essentially, that the house is not cheating.
The suspension shook the bookmaking community. For Pixbet, the damage was not just functional—it was reputational. The timing, coming in the lead-up to a huge football weekend, could not have been worse. Most prominently, Flamengo—the biggest football team in Brazil—had to cancel its sponsorship ad just days from a match.
Pixbet’s legal response
Pixbet didn’t just sit back—they went into full defence mode. The company filed a writ of mandamus, a legal move used when someone believes a government agency has overstepped. They had submitted all required documents on time and the suspension was unjustified. Pixbet had already submitted three out of four necessary documents back in February. The last one was sent in on 10 April 2025, just one day before the suspension.
Court’s decision
The court issued an injunction that overturned the suspension, allowing Pixbet to resume operations straight away. The judge recognised that Pixbet had actually complied with the regulatory requirements. Suspending them, despite timely filing, would cause disproportionate damage. The court highlighted the risk of “disproportionate harm” to the reputation, business, and existing partnerships of Pixbet.
The verdict upheld that Pixbet had behaved in accordance and was unjustifiably punished. It emphasised accountability and fairness within regulatory enforcement. Agencies cannot presume to make drastic decisions without looking into the facts. After the court’s ruling, Pixbet was back in business just in time for the game on 14 April 2025, restoring its spot on Flamengo’s jersey.
