Operation against illegal betting sites culminating in R$ 3.4 billion freeze highlights the scale of the underground market in Brazil, evaluates ANJL

The operation against a scheme involving illegal betting houses that culminated in the freeze of just over R$ 3.4 billion is further evidence of the size of the underground betting market in Brazil, according to the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL). Thus, Operation Azzardo, launched this Thursday (5) by the Civil Police of the Federal District, was made possible by communications made about five months ago by the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA), of the Ministry of Finance, to the PCDF. How the operation against illegal betting sites unfolded Through the investigations, a criminal mechanism was discovered that used several shell companies to receive payments made via Pix by individuals who were deceived by these underground sites. Therefore, added to this is the involvement of a fintech that allegedly moved approximately R$ 1 billion for the group on its own. According to the president of ANJL, Plínio Lemos Jorge, the case demonstrates the importance of combating the illegal betting market, which has been carried out through integrated work between the SPA and Public Security forces. “Money laundering and criminal association are among the main activities of illegal operators. As there is little state control over these transactions, these companies are fertile ground for criminality, at the expense of millions of bettors,” said Lemos Jorge. With the enactment of the Provisional Measure that prohibited the legalized fixed-odds betting market in Brazil, the tendency is for these networks to expand in the coming months, attracting players who previously frequented sites authorized by the Ministry of Finance. “There is no protection whatsoever for bettors and civil society as a whole through this prohibition. This is already proven by data and the facts we have been following. The scheme targeted by today’s operation is just the tip of the iceberg of what we will see in Brazil if the dominance of illegal betting sites remains,” completed Lemos Jorge. According to the most recent survey by Legitbet, an illegal market monitoring platform maintained by ANJL, more than 60,000 illegal sites have already been identified in Brazil since the start of monitoring. Currently, there are about 35,000 active and accessible sites. About ANJL Launched in March 2023, the National Association of Games and Lotteries advocates for the interests of its members, the sector, and responsible, ethical gaming—always guided by the promotion of sports, betting security, and contributions to the country’s economic development. Thus, the list of associates includes: Aposta Ganha Loterias, Fast Gaming, OiG Gaming Brazil, Ana Gaming Brasil, Esportes Gaming Brasil, SPRBT Interactive Brasil, Defy, LBBR Aposta de Quota Fixa, Lucky Gaming, Reals Brasil, Gamewiz Brasil, BETBR Loterias, Versus Brasil, SorteNaBet Gaming Brasil, Blow Marketplace, Sistema Lotérico de Pernambuco, Vanguard Entretenimento Brasil, Hiper Bet Tecnologia, Pocket Games, ODDSGATE Brasil, Upbet Brasil, EB Intermediações and Big Brazil Tecnologia e Loteria, EBAC, TaDa Gaming, BB Gaming Legitimuz Tecnologia and JogaJunto. O post Operation against illegal betting sites culminating in R$ 3.4 billion freeze highlights the scale of the underground market in Brazil, evaluates ANJL apareceu primeiro em iGaming Brazil.