LUSA 10/01/2026

Lusa - Business News - Brazil: Government asks to block 5,200 gambling websites following prohibition

Brasilia, Sept. 30, 2026 (Lusa) – The Brazilian government announced Tuesday that it had requested the blocking of 5,209 gambling platform websites within 48 hours and called for the removal of nearly 200 apps from online app stores.

This development follows Brazilian President Lula da Silva's signing of a Provisional Measure on Friday, which bans online betting and casinos in Brazil, as well as the tabling of a bill in Congress that criminalises such activity in the country.

The National Secretariat for Digital Rights, part of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, also reported that it had requested the blocking of 300 Facebook pages and 90 Instagram profiles, as well as Telegram groups with over one million users, which were sharing links to unlicensed betting sites.

The agency sent the request to the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel), which, since the ban on online betting and casinos in Brazil took effect, has ordered the takedown of 2,387 domains linked to betting operations.

The regulatory authority, Anatel, is responsible for instructing internet service providers to restrict access to the relevant websites.

In addition, the ministry has asked app stores such as the Apple Store and Google Play Store to remove 186 betting apps by 6 October; otherwise, these stores may face some form of sanction.

Eight major digital platforms, including Google, Meta, YouTube, X, Telegram, TikTok, Kwai and Discord, have also received notices to remove advertising from betting operators within ten days.

On another front, the government has also announced it will initiate administrative proceedings against betting companies found to have committed irregularities, following 63 reports filed by the Secretariat for Sports Betting.

Once these administrative proceedings conclude, and if the irregularities are proven, the government will allocate the sums collected to the National Public Security Fund.

In addition, the Brazilian Central Bank has been instructed to track the payment chain and the movement of funds.

MYMA/ADB // ADB.

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