Brazil’s unlawful betting market declined through the first half of 2026, in response to a brand new estimate. The share of on-line bets positioned by means of clandestine platforms stood at 38% to 44%, in contrast with 41% to 51% in analysis revealed in June 2025.
The newest evaluation, “Sizing and Combating the Illegal Betting Market in Brazil,” attracts on Locomotiva Institute analysis involving 2,291 gamblers throughout Brazil in May 2026. In the three months earlier than the survey, 53% had used websites with out facial recognition, whereas 48% had wager on platforms utilizing .wager.br domains. The analysis additionally discovered that 37% deposited by means of bank cards and 23% used cryptocurrencies, each fee strategies barred beneath the regulated framework.
Regulation Shows Signs Of Impact
Brazil’s betting guidelines took impact on January 1, 2025, limiting authorized operations to licensed corporations topic to tax, operational and player-protection necessities. During the primary 12 months, betting operators generated R$9.95 billion in taxes and authorized allocations, whereas every platform paid R$30 million in concession charges. Regulated corporations additionally invested about R$7.5 billion in share capital and had been linked to an estimated 15,500 direct and oblique jobs.
Carlos Lima, government president of the Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming, mentioned the newest figures point out that authorities motion is starting to have an effect on the unlawful sector.
“The numbers show that the regulations and measures adopted by the Federal Government to combat illegal platforms are beginning to produce concrete results. The observed reduction is a positive sign of the consolidation of the Brazilian regulated market. The challenge now is to continue this progress, strengthening the fight against clandestine operators and ensuring that regulatory evolution occurs with legal certainty and predictability, preventing new measures applicable exclusively to authorized operators from creating asymmetries that make the illegal market more attractive to consumers and end up directing bettors to clandestine platforms,” emphasizes Carlos Lima, government president of IBJR.
Eric Brasil of LCA Consultores additionally pointed to larger certainty across the market’s measurement and pressured the necessity for continued enforcement.
Illegal Betting Remains Widespread
Among folks eligible for the unlawful market, ladies represented 51% and males 49%. The 18-29 age group accounted for 54%, whereas 51% earned as much as two minimal wages. About 51% solely used casual platforms, 36% mentioned these websites dealt with most of their bets, 8% related them with roughly half of their betting exercise and 6% used them for the smallest share.
Renato Meirelles, president of the Locomotiva Institute, described the discount as restricted whereas noting broad help for stronger motion towards clandestine operators.
Consumer consciousness of the dangers was excessive. Some 77% totally or partially agreed that unlawful websites fail to fulfill accountable playing necessities and due to this fact pose larger dangers. Another 13% neither agreed nor disagreed, whereas 5% partially disagreed and 5% strongly disagreed.
Authorized platforms should use the .wager.br area, require facial recognition and supply controls for time and monetary losses. They additionally prohibit funds to PIX and debit from the account holder’s account, whereas providing self-exclusion measures. IBJR directs customers to betalert.com.br to examine whether or not a betting platform is permitted.
Source:
“Study reveals that the illegal market share in the betting sector fell in the first half of 2026 compared to 2025”, ibjr.org.br, August 11, 2026
