BigBet-Hanzbet: strategic alliance in Brazil
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1 Aug 2025 •
Reading time: 3 minutes After a sudden break with its former licence holder, Hanzbet has made a spectacular comeback by joining forces with BigBet with the stated ambition of strengthening the presence of both brands in the Brazilian sector.
In early July, the sports betting world in Brazil was shaken by a surprise announcement: Hanzbet, a well-established operator, announced the suspension of its activities in the country. The reason: an abrupt break with its licence holder, EA Entretenimento e Esportes Ltda (EA). The relationship between the two entities, once discreet, exploded into the open in a series of public accusations, ranging from the exclusion of Hanzbet’s management team to the alleged redirection of its customers to an internal competitor.
Hanzbet’s co-founder and marketing director, Eduardo Peres, did not mince his words: in a particularly virulent LinkedIn post, he denounced what he called a veritable operational dictatorship imposed by EA. He claimed that the license holder had cut off communication with the Hanzbet team, withdrawn liquidity from the company, and unilaterally announced the closure of the platform without notifying management.
But the attempt to dismantle the company appears to have failed.
A strategic alliance with BigBet
On Monday, Hanzbet announced its merger with BigBet, one of three brands operating under the Big Brazil licence, alongside Apostar and Caesars Sportsbook. This move, presented as a strategic partnership, allows Hanzbet to remain active in the regulated Brazilian market while circumventing the limitations imposed by EA.
Rodrigo Cariola, CEO of BigBet, expressed optimism:
‘This merger represents more than a collaboration between two companies: it is a strong step towards strengthening the regulated betting market in Brazil. We remain committed to compliance, responsible gaming and a quality experience for all.’
Hanzbet shared the same enthusiasm, with CEO Gabriel Martins emphasising the brand’s integrity and the trust of its partners:
‘We have always acted with clarity, seriousness and loyalty. Today, we continue, stronger than ever, alongside a major brand like BigBet.’
The still unclear contours of the merger
For the moment, the operational details of this merger have not been made public. It is possible that Hanzbet’s infrastructure will be absorbed by BigBet, or that the two entities will coexist under an integrated model. One thing is certain: Hanzbet users and partners are waiting for rapid clarification.
The brands have announced that the specific terms of their collaboration will be revealed shortly. A key challenge will be to preserve Hanzbet’s user base while ensuring a smooth transition to the BigBet ecosystem.
Symbolic end to the crisis
Despite the turmoil, Hanzbet seems keen to turn the page. In a new message posted on LinkedIn, Eduardo Peres welcomes the opportunity offered by BigBet and expresses a sense of revenge:
‘They did everything they could to bury Hanzbet. They forgot that the end only comes for those who give up – and that has never been the case for us.’
This rebound does not erase the questions raised by EA’s management. For the moment, neither EA nor Hanzbet have officially responded to press inquiries regarding allegations of fund manipulation and misinformation to customers.