During a roundtable discussion at ICE Barcelona, Regis Dudena, the Secretary of Prizes and Betting at Brazil’s Ministry of Finance, outlined plans to enhance regulation in the country’s newly legalized iGaming market. One key initiative involves creating a mechanism to register B2B providers, an essential step to ensuring compliance and oversight.
Dudena stated that while a full licensing framework for B2B providers is not on the immediate agenda, a certification system will be introduced to regulate online gaming systems and associated providers.
“It is increasingly necessary to have this type of registration,” Dudena stated, underscoring the importance of enforcing industry standards as Brazil’s iGaming market continues to grow.
The registration process seeks to address challenges posed by unlicensed operators while ensuring a fair and competitive environment for businesses that comply with Brazil’s regulations.
The announcement comes as Brazil faces mounting pressure from licensed operators to curb activities by offshore and illegal market participants. The Secretariat for Prizes and Betting (SPA) has already taken proactive steps by collaborating with major tech companies such as Meta, Google, and TikTok to restrict advertising from illegal operators. Thousands of domains associated with unlicensed gaming activities have been blocked since the market’s legalization.
Dudena also highlighted the importance of international collaboration to address these issues. The SPA has engaged in discussions with the UK Gambling Commission to share knowledge and strategies. “We know it is very important to learn from the mistakes of others,” Dudena said, highlighting the value of cross-border regulatory cooperation in tackling challenges faced by the iGaming sector globally.
As licensed operators flood the Brazilian market, advertising practices have come under scrutiny. The surge in promotional activity has raised concerns about market saturation and its potential impact on public perception. While several bills have been proposed in Congress to ban gambling advertising altogether, Dudena has expressed opposition to such measures, favoring a balanced approach instead.
Looking forward, Dudena revealed plans to explore the introduction of a centralized self-exclusion system for players. However, he acknowledged that data protection concerns must be addressed before implementing such measures.
Meanwhile, the SPA is working to address a backlog of licensing applications. Since the market opened, more than 300 companies have applied for licenses, yet only 70 have been approved.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/01/28/93310-brazil-advances-igaming-regulation-with-focus-on-provider-registration-combating-illegal-operations
