Operator licensing: entering Brazil in compliance
From the corporate structure to the authorisation filing and day-to-day compliance, with lawyers who have followed this regulation since the firm was founded.
The Brazilian fixed-odds betting market is no longer a grey zone. Law No. 14,790/2023 (Brazil's fixed-odds betting law) and the acts of the SPA/MF (Secretariat of Prizes and Betting of the Ministry of Finance) set out authorisation requirements, corporate conditions, integrity duties, advertising rules and player protection obligations.
We advise operators, platform suppliers, content providers and investors across all of those fronts. The firm has specific expertise in iGaming and sports betting and follows the regulator's publications continuously, because in this sector today's rule may not be tomorrow's.
When this service is the answer
A foreign operator looking to enter Brazil
The corporate structure, the Brazilian shareholder requirement, the capital thresholds and the documentation for the filing are not solved by experience in other jurisdictions.
An authorisation at risk over ancillary duties
Integrity requirements, responsible gaming policy, anti-money laundering, customer service channels and reporting duties that the operation is not fully meeting.
A campaign in a grey area
Sponsorships, influencers, bonuses and messaging that may breach the sector's advertising rules and expose the brand to sanction and public backlash.
What you receive
Feasibility and structure analysis
Assessment of the business model against Brazilian regulation, defining the appropriate corporate structure, capital requirements and the role of each entity in the group.
Running the authorisation filing
Organisation and review of all required documentation, drafting of the application, filing and management of the requirements raised by the regulator.
Mandatory policies and compliance
Drafting and adaptation of policies on responsible gaming, betting integrity, anti-money laundering, data protection and player support.
Review of advertising and sponsorships
Prior review of campaigns, sponsorship contracts and agreements with influencers and affiliates, with an opinion on what has to change before going live.
Operational contracts
Terms of use, bonus policy, platform, game provider, payment provider and affiliate agreements, aligned with the regulator's requirements.
Ongoing regulatory monitoring
Monitoring of publications by the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting and by the other bodies involved, with a clear read on the practical impact for your operation.
Why work with us
Genuine iGaming specialisation
The firm's sports betting practice is well established and led by a partner with recognised expertise in the field, not a front opened on market opportunity.
Regulatory, contracts and litigation together
Authorisation, advertising, contracts, employment and administrative defence within the same firm, with an integrated view of the operation.
Service in three languages
Portuguese, English and Spanish, with documents and opinions in the language your group needs for its head office or its investors.
Frequently asked questions
What are the main requirements to operate sports betting in Brazil?
Law No. 14,790/2023 and the Ministry of Finance regulations require, among other things, prior authorisation from the competent body, incorporation of a Brazilian entity with a Brazilian shareholder, proof of minimum share capital, payment of the licence grant and compliance with integrity, responsible gaming and anti-money laundering duties. Since the framework is still being detailed by secondary regulation, the requirements should be confirmed at the date of filing.
Can a foreign operator run betting in Brazil?
It can take part in the market, but operating requires a company incorporated in Brazil, authorised by the competent body, with a Brazilian shareholder in its corporate structure. That normally means reorganising the group before filing. The corporate design should also account for tax and intercompany contractual considerations.
What does Brazilian regulation allow in betting advertising?
Advertising is permitted but subject to significant restrictions, among them the ban on targeting minors, the prohibition on presenting betting as a source of income or a financial solution, and the duty to carry responsible gaming warnings. Contracts with influencers and affiliates must incorporate those duties, because liability tends to reach the advertising brand.
How long does the licensing process take?
The timeline depends on how complete the documentation is, on the requirements raised by the regulator and on the volume of applications under review, so no completion date can be guaranteed. Most of the time is usually spent on preparation, especially the corporate reorganisation and the mandatory policies, stages that can be brought forward.
Do you advise platform suppliers and affiliates, not only operators?
Yes. We advise platform suppliers, game providers, payment providers, affiliate networks, clubs and companies signing sponsorships with the sector. Each link in the chain has distinct duties and its own risks, and the contracts between them must allocate regulatory responsibility clearly.
See also
Talk to lawyers who have followed the rules from the start
Describe your operating model and the stage you are at: market entry study, corporate structuring, a filing under way or bringing a live operation into compliance. We will set out the next steps and what has to be resolved first.