The Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) has released new data highlighting the performance of Brazil’s regulated betting and iGaming market in the first six months of 2025, confirming gross gaming revenue (GGR) of BRL17.4 billion ($3.2 billion). The report also provided insights into bettor demographics, regulatory measures, and actions targeting illegal gambling operators.
Market performance and bettor demographics
Launched on January 1, 2025, after a rigorous licensing phase, Brazil’s regulated market has attracted 17.7 million active bettors within its first half-year. According to SPA data, 71% of players were men, with women accounting for 28.9%. Nearly half of these bettors are under 30, with the 31–40 age group representing the largest share at 27.8%, followed by the 18–25 group at 22.4%, and the 25–30 segment at 22.2%. Only 2.1% of bettors were between 61 and 70.
The market’s growth reflects significant activity across the 78 licensed operators and their 182 authorized brands. Bettors spent an average of BRL164 ($30) monthly, amounting to around BRL983 ($181) over the six months.
Tax contributions have also been notable. The Federal Revenue Service reported BRL3.8 billion collected in gambling taxes during the period, while the SPA secured around BRL2.2 billion in licensing fees and BRL50 million in inspection-related charges. SPA chief Regis Dudena emphasized the importance of transparency, stating, “Our goal is, from now on, to periodically disclose the SPA’s activities and the evolution of the fixed-odds betting market in Brazil, fulfilling this government’s commitment to transparency and, above all, reporting to society regarding the responsibilities of the state and private actors.”
Regulatory landscape and industry concerns
The SPA’s data release comes amid discussions over tightening regulations. Proposals under review include stricter advertising rules, such as watershed restrictions, and a tax increase on betting revenues, which is still awaiting a congressional vote. Industry stakeholders have expressed concern that these measures could drive players toward unlicensed platforms, increasing black market activity.
Dudena highlighted the importance of evidence-based discussions, saying reports like the SPA’s are “crucial” for guiding regulatory decisions. “It provides concrete data on regulatory action, addressing topics such as oversight and control, as well as initial figures that reflect reality, not just estimates,” he noted.
Crackdown on illegal betting activities
Alongside regulatory progress, efforts to combat illegal gambling have intensified. According to SPA figures, approximately 30% of the Brazilian betting market still operates offshore. Since October 2024, the National Telecommunications Agency has taken down 15,463 illegal betting websites under SPA directives.
SPA inspections during the first half of 2025 involved 93 companies, resulting in sanctions against 35. Financial institutions have also cooperated by reporting 277 suspicious transactions, leading to the closure of 255 bank accounts linked to illegal betting. Additionally, 45 company accounts flagged by 13 payment institutions were shut down following SPA investigations.
Advertising crackdowns have also been effective, with 120 enforcement actions resulting in the removal of 112 influencer pages and 146 social media posts promoting unlicensed platforms.
Future outlook
The SPA plans to increase its data transparency with regular updates and a more granular focus on bettor behaviors to better support public health initiatives and enforce responsible gambling practices. Dudena reiterated the shared responsibility of operators, emphasizing the importance of player protection tools such as deposit limits, self-exclusion options, and proactive monitoring of betting behaviors.
Source:
Regis Dudena: Sports betting and iGaming generated US$3.2bn in Brazil in 2025, gamesbras.com, August 26, 2025.