Brazilian authorities have taken a decisive step toward tightening age verification requirements and restricting youth access to online gambling as part of a broader regulatory push to enhance consumer protections in the country’s rapidly expanding digital betting and gaming markets. Proposed decrees currently circulating in Brasília would require operators to implement more robust identity and age checks and introduce measures to prevent minors from accessing gambling products and related content online.
The draft regulations come amid heightened scrutiny of Brazil’s online betting boom, with policymakers increasingly focused on addressing risks to young people and aligning national oversight with international best practices for consumer safety and responsible gaming.
Key Insights on Brazil’s Strengthened Online Gambling Regulations
- Strengthened Age Verification: Brazilian regulators are preparing decrees that would mandate more stringent age checks for online gambling platforms.
- Youth Access Restrictions: Proposals include measures to block under‑18s from accessing gambling and related harmful content.
- Policy Signals: The moves reinforce Brazil’s intent to mitigate social and behavioural risks as online gambling participation grows.
- Regulatory Alignment: Efforts echo global trends toward tighter digital gambling controls to protect vulnerable groups.
Expanded Age Checks and Online Restrictions
The proposed decrees would require licensed operators to deploy enhanced authentication systems at registration and during account management processes to ensure that users are of legal gambling age (18+). This includes automated verification using government‑issued IDs, biometric checks where feasible, and cross‑verification with other public databases to reduce the risk of age fraud.
The regulatory text also contemplates access control mechanisms that would restrict minors from accessing not only gambling products but also associated content deemed harmful, such as gambling advertisements, promotional material, and affiliate referrals.
The draft decree builds upon legal advancements from Brazil’s Federal Senate and executive branch following the passage of the Digital ECA (Bill 2628/22, now Law No. 15,211/2025). This legislation is designed to protect children’s rights online, specifically by imposing legal restrictions on minors’ access to inappropriate content and mandating technical safeguards such as age gating to ensure better protection from exposure to harmful material.
Officials involved in drafting the decrees have signalled that the measures are intended to create a safer digital environment, reduce potential harm from early exposure to gambling, and align Brazil with other regulated markets that prioritise protective safeguards for underage populations.
Government Context and Policy Direction
Brazil’s shift toward more rigorous age verification standards comes against a backdrop of broader debate over the appropriate regulatory model for online gambling. In recent months, the executive branch and financial regulators have publicly discussed the need for stronger oversight of the sector, including comments from the President criticising the rapid expansion of online betting and the role of the Central Bank in regulating digital financial flows tied to gambling transactions.
The newly proposed decrees are expected to be considered alongside other regulatory developments, including frameworks for responsible gaming, anti‑money laundering compliance, and consumer dispute resolution.
Broader Regulatory Coordination
To ensure a cohesive approach to gambling oversight, Brazil recently established the National Betting Forum (SINAPO), a collaborative body designed to coordinate regulatory efforts across lottery, betting, and digital gaming sectors. SINAPO’s mandate includes harmonising age‑verification policies, aligning enforcement strategies, and sharing best practices among federal and state agencies to create a more consistent regulatory perimeter as legal gambling expands in Brazil.
Implications for Operators
Operators licensed or seeking licences in Brazil will likely face an increased compliance burden if the decrees are formalised. Mandatory enhancements to Know Your Customer (KYC) systems, real-time age verification checks, and technology investments to block youth access will require updates to onboarding flows, privacy policies, and customer support workflows.
Failure to meet the forthcoming requirements could result in enforcement actions, including fines, operational restrictions, or suspension of licensing privileges. Given the ongoing expansion of Brazil’s online gambling economy, early adaptation to the new standards will be critical for operators aiming to maintain market access and demonstrate adherence to responsible gaming frameworks.
With Brazil’s draft decrees now under review, the coming months are likely to see further debate in legislative and regulatory corridors. Stakeholders, including operators, consumer advocates, and regulator advisors, are expected to weigh in on the specifics of implementation, particularly the technological and operational feasibility of real‑time age verification solutions.
If adopted, the new measures will place Brazil among a cohort of jurisdictions that are proactively addressing youth protection in online gambling, reinforcing the view that consumer safeguards must evolve in step with market growth.