Gambling advertising: Brazil says stop
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21 Apr 2025 •
Reading time: 3 minutes Brazil is strengthening its legislation against illegal online gambling advertising, with a bill introduced by MP Kim Kataguiri providing for penalties of up to eight years’ imprisonment, particularly where minors or vulnerable people are targeted. This measure aims to curb the promotion of unregulated gambling sites, which are often responsible for addiction and fraud. Influencers, public figures and platforms such as YouTube are also being targeted by the authorities, who are demanding that content linking to these sites be removed. The government is thus seeking to clean up a fast-growing market, while protecting citizens from the excesses of illegal gambling.
Faced with the proliferation of illegal online gambling advertising, Brazil is adopting strict new legislation. Bill PL 706-2025, introduced by MP Kim Kataguiri, aims to criminalise the promotion of unregulated betting. The penalties are severe, with up to eight years’ imprisonment for the most serious offences, particularly those targeting minors and vulnerable people.
This initiative comes at a time when the Brazilian authorities are seeking to better regulate the booming online gambling sector. The Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) has already introduced restrictions, banning all forms of communication aimed at young people. However, illegal sites remain a persistent threat, complicating law enforcement.
Severe penalties for offenders
The new legislation provides for penalties of between one and four years’ imprisonment, as well as financial fines, for anyone involved in promoting illegal gambling activities. In the most serious cases, particularly where the offences involve children, adolescents or individuals in vulnerable situations, the maximum penalty can be up to eight years’ imprisonment.
Online influencers and public figures who encourage illegal gambling are also targeted by these strict provisions. Those who receive profits or commissions from unlicensed operators are particularly concerned.
MP Kim Kataguiri justifies this legislation by the need to better protect players against the risks associated with illegal gambling. He stresses the danger posed by these sites, which exploit players and facilitate various financial crimes. Regulating advertising is one way of limiting their influence and deterring further offences.
Towards stricter regulation of the sector
Brazil is also considering banning the advertising of fixed-odds betting. Backed by several senators, this bill aims to limit access to betting in response to the increase in impulsive behaviour among young gamblers. Some elected representatives are even proposing to ban the promotion of these games in the traditional and online media, as well as by public figures.
These measures are part of a wider drive to regulate the online gambling sector, which is growing rapidly in Brazil. In 2023, this sector generated 120 billion reais, but in the absence of regulation, many Brazilians are falling into addiction and debt.
Digital platforms mobilising
The Brazilian authorities are not alone in their fight against the promotion of illegal gambling. YouTube recently announced that from 19 March it would be implementing mechanisms to block content linked to illegal online gambling sites. The move follows complaints by the Department for Sport against digital influencers who promote betting with misleading promises of easy profits, without warning users of the associated risks.
Under the new guidelines, content creators on the platform will be prohibited from referencing or redirecting users to illegal betting sites and apps. This includes URLs, links embedded in images or text, and verbal mentions.