Lead brief
Brazil’s Secretariat for Prizes and Betting has ordered direct monitoring of banks to detect and block financial transactions related to unlicensed online gambling, unveiling Ordinance SPA/MF No. 2,750/2026 as part of a wider clampdown on illegal operators in the country’s digital betting sector.
Coverage frame
This piece sits inside the wider 31Casino news desk, where single developments are read against regulation, market structure, and reader relevance.
Primary source base
- ▸Brazil’s SPA has issued Ordinance SPA/MF No. 2,750/2026 targeting payments to unlicensed gambling operators.
- ▸Banks and financial institutions must implement stricter controls to monitor transactions linked to offshore gambling sites.
- ▸The move forms part of a broader strategy to curb illegal gambling and secure tax revenues.
- ▸Enhanced cooperation is mandated between regulators, financial sector, and other government agencies.
What Happened
On 14 September 2026, the Secretariat for Prizes and Betting (SPA), part of Brazil’s Ministry of Finance, published Ordinance SPA/MF No. 2,750/2026. This new regulation establishes rigorous procedures designed to identify, monitor, and disrupt financial flows to unlicensed online gambling operators targeting Brazilian consumers. The Ordinance compels all banks and payment processors to enforce stricter anti-money laundering (AML) measures and cooperate closely with authorities in the fight against illegal gambling activity.
The SPA’s directive follows mounting concerns that offshore betting sites and casino platforms have exploited gaps in local regulatory enforcement. By rerouting funds through cross-border or disguised transactions, these operators have been able to serve Brazilian players without holding a domestic licence or paying local taxes. The new Ordinance seeks to close these loopholes through enhanced transaction monitoring and proactive reporting requirements for the financial sector.
Why It Matters
The latest move by Brazil’s SPA demonstrates a decisive willingness to tackle entrenched financial crime risks in the country’s fast-growing gambling market. For years, grey market operators have flourished by leveraging opaque payment channels and weak local oversight. This has resulted in significant capital flight, tax losses, and wider financial crime concerns, undermining the objectives of Brazil’s ongoing efforts to create a regulated, collected gambling sector.
R$4 billion — the estimated value of annual wagers processed by Brazil-facing offshore gambling platforms, according to industry watchdogs.
The new Ordinance significantly raises the standard for due diligence and detection responsibilities in the banking sector. Now, institutions are not just responsible for flagging suspicious individual transactions but are expected to proactively identify patterns that could indicate systematic illegal gambling payments. This shift is likely to accelerate the closure of bank routes favoured by unlicensed operators, while simultaneously making it harder for such companies to acquire or retain Brazilian customers.
For licensed operators and investors, the move provides a measure of reassurance that the government is serious about protecting its regulated sector, while sending a clear message to those considering circumventing local laws. At the same time, it places a heavy compliance burden on Brazil’s financial institutions, which must now enhance KYC protocols and deploy sophisticated monitoring systems or risk regulatory action.
Industry Context
Brazil’s regulatory approach reflects a broader global shift as gambling markets mature. Successful regimes in jurisdictions such as the UK, Italy, and the Netherlands have relied on coordinated action between gaming authorities and the banking sector to choke off illegal operator funding. In Brazil's case, the stakes are particularly high: the country is among Latin America's largest gambling markets by user base, with internet penetration and mobile-first betting on the rise.
Recent estimates from industry bodies suggest that between 12 and 15 million Brazilians placed bets online in 2025. Yet only a small proportion of these wagers were processed through locally regulated channels due to slow licensing rollouts and persistent market uncertainty. As Brazil moves to issue more permits to bona fide operators, closing the door to unlicensed platforms is seen as essential for market integrity.
Regulatory Background
The SPA has functioned as the central regulatory authority for Brazil’s gambling sector since its creation in 2023. Following the passage of Law 14,790 at the end of 2023, which formally legalized fixed-odds sports betting and expanded the scope for regulated iGaming, the Ministry of Finance has moved incrementally to issue supplementary orders on licensing, taxation, and financial monitoring.
Ordinance SPA/MF No. 2,750/2026 marks a new high-water mark in this process. By compelling banks and payment processors to join the regulatory fight, the government is expanding AML and enforcement efforts beyond the gaming sector and into the heart of the country’s financial system. This proactive stance mirrors growing coordination between local regulators and global financial intelligence units.
What Happens Next
Banks and payment processors operating in Brazil must immediately review internal controls, reporting procedures, and customer due diligence protocols in light of the new requirements. Regulators are expected to begin compliance audits and initiate enforcement actions against both financial institutions and unlicensed gambling operators found in breach. The effectiveness of the new measures will be closely monitored, shaping the trajectory of Brazil’s regulatory strategy as the country transitions to a fully licensed and domestically controlled gambling environment.
Sources
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