Brazil’s Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) has formalised its 2026–27 regulatory agenda through an official ordinance published in the government gazette. The agenda sets out priority regulatory actions, with a focus on licensing processes, lottery system modernisation, enhanced compliance, and the development of consumer safeguards as the nation’s gambling and betting market continues to evolve.
The ordinance details SPA’s regulatory planning for the next two years and reinforces the government’s intent to develop a robust, transparent framework for oversight of prizes, betting and lottery operations across Brazil.
Key Focus: Licensing Reviews and Lottery Regulation
At the core of the SPA agenda, outlined in Portaria SPA/MF nº 408, de 12 de fevereiro de 2026, is a concerted effort to review and refine licensing procedures for operators engaged in betting, gaming, and lottery activities. The goal is to ensure regulatory clarity and transparency in the authorisation process, making it easier for new and existing operators to navigate Brazil’s regulatory landscape.
This comprehensive licensing review is designed to enhance the SPA’s ability to monitor compliance within the sector, particularly as it becomes increasingly digitalised. Through this effort, the SPA aims to streamline procedures, improve industry accountability, and ensure a more robust framework for gambling and lottery regulation.
Included in the SPA’s priorities are:
- Streamlined licensing reviews for existing and prospective operators.
- Guidelines for compliance enforcement and risk‑based supervision.
- Modernisation of lottery regulation, including updates to oversight and reporting standards.
- Enhancement of technological infrastructure for monitoring and data‑driven decision‑making.
The focus on licensing reform reflects Brazil’s broader push to balance industry growth with consumer protection, a theme that also appears in regional efforts to address youth exposure and access to gambling content.
Consumer Protection and Market Oversight
SPA’s agenda also places significant emphasis on consumer protection measures, including initiatives designed to curb unregulated access, bolster responsible gaming, and strengthen dispute resolution mechanisms for bettors and lottery players.
While the ordinance does not prescribe specific new regulations in all areas, it sets a foundation for future rulemaking and signals that regulators will prioritise risk management frameworks, anti‑money‑laundering compliance, and integrity controls within the betting ecosystem.
Consumer safeguards are increasingly central to discussions in Latin America, as seen in the new strategic alliance in Buenos Aires aimed at tackling youth gambling addiction. This initiative, involving government, academia, and regulators, highlights the region’s growing focus on protecting vulnerable populations, particularly adolescents, from the risks of gambling.
Lottery Modernisation and Regulatory Innovation
Lottery operations remain a cornerstone of Brazil’s regulated gaming landscape, and SPA’s regulatory agenda highlights modernisation efforts to align lottery frameworks with contemporary market standards. Modernisation priorities include digital transformation, enhanced transparency around prize distributions, and improved controls around syndicates and ticket sales.
These efforts are expected to facilitate more efficient supervision and support innovation, such as digital lottery offerings that can coexist with traditional retail channels while maintaining key protections for consumers.
Implementation Timeline and Regulatory Planning
The publication of Portaria SPA/MF nº 408 formally establishes the agenda for fiscal years 2026 and 2027, providing a roadmap for how SPA intends to sequence regulatory actions and stakeholder engagements. While not legally binding as a standalone regulation, the agenda carries institutional weight as a directive for regulatory efforts and internal resource allocation.
Stakeholders within the gaming, betting and lottery sectors should anticipate phased implementation of the agenda’s priorities, with public consultations and draft regulations expected to follow in areas like licensing refinement, compliance frameworks and consumer protection guidelines.
Industry and Market Implications
For operators and industry participants, SPA’s agenda offers signals about regulatory direction and market expectations over the next two years. Key implications include:
- Potential streamlining of licensing and authorisation pathways for both established and new market entrants.
- Heightened focus on compliance infrastructure and readiness for supervisory reviews.
- Opportunities arising from lottery modernisation initiatives, particularly where digital integration enhances player engagement.
- A regulatory ecosystem that increasingly factors in consumer welfare and risk mitigation.
Brazil’s regulatory planning is unfolding alongside continued market maturation and broader policy discussions, including age verification enhancements, cross‑jurisdictional cooperation, and targeted initiatives to address real‑world harms.
The 2026–27 regulatory agenda positions SPA to navigate the complexities inherent in a rapidly evolving betting and lottery market. As implementation progresses, future rulemakings informed by the agenda’s priorities will clarify Brazil’s regulatory expectations for licensing, compliance and consumer protections.
Stakeholders should prepare for consultative processes and regulatory updates that align with SPA’s outlined timeline, recognising the agenda as both a planning tool and a barometer of the government’s strategic vision for gambling governance.