The SPA has approved 71 of 114 license applications ahead of the start of regulated online gambling.
The new Brazilian gambling regulator, the Secretaria de Prêmios e Apostas (SPA), has announced that it has given 71 federal online gambling licenses ahead of the long-awaited start of regulated online gambling on January 1. The authority approved 71 of the 144 licence applications received by the October deadline.
Regis Dudena, president of the SPA, told the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) on the upcoming market that those approved had met the necessary criteria, which included passing technical requirements for IT security and payment processing, licensing standards, anti-money laundering (AML) protocols, and responsible gambling measures.
The 71 applicants were permitted to pay the R$30 million (€5 million) charge for a five-year online gambling licence with up to three skins each.
See also:
- Mega Millions jackpot near $700 million for Friday 13th drawing
- Maryland reported its most successful sports betting month ever
- Pennsylvania leads the U.S. in casino tax revenue
Approximately 16 applications have already paid the money, which operators were given 30 days to pay.
Dudena told the CPI that the Ministry of Finance has already notified 71 enterprises, and they have 30 days from the notification date to complete these final requirements. Of these, 16 have already paid the licence fee.
To date, 16 enterprises have paid a total of R$480 million in licensing fees to the Ministry of Finance.
Dudena emphasized that all licensees, including those already operating on the gray market, must demonstrate conformity with the new legal framework beginning January 1. “Beginning January 1, all corporations operating in Brazil must be Brazilian entities registered under Brazilian law. We’ll know their shareholders, ultimate benefactors, and executives, ensuring perfect control over both legal businesses and humans.”
Recent changes include a ban on gambling with welfare funds and on advertising gambling to people under the age of 18 in sports sponsorships and media.
In other recent developments, the Ministry of Finance issued a new regulation governing the transmission of gambling data.
The launch of regulated online gambling in Brazil on January 1 may not mark the end of adjustments to the framework. Senator Eduardo Braga of the Movimiento Democrático Brasileño proposed introducing sin taxes on some activities, which the Senate is now reviewing.
Meanwhile, a vote on legislation to legalize land-based casinos has been postponed until next year as the Ministry of Health assesses the possible impact on Brazil’s United Health System (SUS) and Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS).
Bill No. 2,234/2022 would allow land-based casinos, horseracing, betting, bingo, and jogo do bicho (instant win) sales, overturning then-President Gaspar Dutra’s 1946 order that prohibited casinos in Brazil’s municipalities and districts.
Join us on all our social channels and groups
Gameongazette is present on:
