Sports betting in Brazil
Brazil, like many South American countries, is in a grey area when it comes to all forms of online gambling.
Despite the fact that Brazilian residents are legally allowed to gamble on offshore sites, there are currently no Brazilian companies that are allowed to offer online gambling services.
Since there are several online bookmaker options available, it is important to know which ones are reliable and really safe for betting.
List of bookmakers in Brazil
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Betting in Brazil
Brazil, like many South American countries, is in a grey area when it comes to all forms of online gambling.
Despite the fact that Brazilian residents are legally allowed to gamble on offshore sites, there are currently no Brazilian companies that are allowed to offer online gambling services.
Since there are several online bookmaker options available, it is important to know which ones are reliable and really safe for betting.
History of online betting in Brazil
Wondering, “Is sports betting legal in Brazil?” For almost 80 years, Brazil has been against gambling, starting with a ban in 1946 under President Eurico Gaspar Dutra. Surprisingly, this has not stopped illegal gambling such as Jogo do Bicho. The ban mainly affected local businesses. It gave international companies an easy way to target Brazilian customers.
Over time, some rules changed: bingo became legal for entertainment in 1971, betting on horse racing got the green light in 1984, and the state lottery came into existence in 1996. The old rules in Brazil ran into a big problem when online gambling came along. The prohibition of gambling in Brazil created a wild market with no rules. People began to realise that the old rules were going nowhere.
More and more people wanted a change because they started to look at betting differently. They realised that Brazil had the potential to make a good amount of money in the betting market. Finally, the lawmakers decided that it was time for new rules. Thus, the change is not just about what people think. It is also about giving the country’s economy a much-needed boost. The plan is to introduce sports betting regulations in Brazil that organise gambling and generate revenue.
Key factors when choosing a bookmaker
Deposit and withdrawal options are one of the key factors that new players in the Brazil consider when choosing a bookmaker. But they are far from the only ones. Our research shows that below are the five most important factors Brazil punters consider when choosing an online betting site:
- Secure transactions
- A trustworthy reputation,
- Free, easy and fast transactions,
- Favourable / generous bonuses
- Wide range of sports to bet on
Just like deposit and withdrawal options, the legal environment also affects which sports you can bet on.
Online betting sites tend to offer a wider selection of sports than retail bookmakers. Before choosing a bookmaker, look at what sports they offer, how in-depth they cover each one, whether they have the types of bets you want to place, and how their odds compare to the competition.
When it comes to reputation, don’t stop at word of mouth. Read our detailed bookmaker reviews and search the various sites on the BrazilGC’s public register. As mentioned above, the BrazilGC tracks all sanctions imposed against betting sites and keeps detailed records of complaints filed against them.
Finally, when comparing bonuses, current legislation requires betting sites to state all applicable terms and conditions. You are required to read the fine print. If you believe that a bonus was misleading or that a bookmaker has falsely advertised an offer, you can make a complaint to the BrazilGC.
How popular is sports betting in Brazil?
Betting on sports in Brazil is serious business. Almost 38% of the adult population participates in this form of gambling. Football, of course, tops the list of popular bets. Brazilians simply love their football, and every match is a reason for excitement and, of course, betting. But besides football, betting on basketball, volleyball and even mixed martial arts (MMA) is also popular.
In terms of betting availability, Brazil has a huge number of betting shops and online platforms. They provide a variety of betting options and convenient conditions for players. This stimulates even more interest in sports betting in the country.
In addition, Brazil is actively developing gambling legislation, which is also fuelling the growth of the industry. The country has recently legalised online casinos, which may further increase the popularity of sports betting among locals.
Thus, sports betting in Brazil is not just a recreational activity, but a serious and widespread form of gambling that continues to gain momentum.
How betting is regulated in Brazil
Although the law legalising sports betting was passed in 2018, delays meant that Brazilian punters had to wait five years for full regulation, which only happened thanks to a temporary measure passed (with a few amendments) in July 2023.
Overall, the changes to the previous draft are an increase in gross gaming revenue tax, more comprehensive marketing restrictions and a higher licence fee.
The most significant change is the increase in revenue tax on sports betting operators. In order to increase revenue to the Ministry of Sport from 1% to 3%, the tax was raised from 16% to 18%. Unfortunately for punters, the 30% tax on winnings over R$500 remains in place.
Although the cost of an operator’s licence was not explicitly mentioned in the Prime Minister’s amendments, reports indicate that it is expected to increase to R$30 million ($6.35 million) from the previously set R$22.2 million.
Another innovation was the creation of the National Secretariat of Gaming and Betting (SNJA). This committee will be responsible for all procedures related to the regulation and licensing of sports betting.
The amendments also included restrictions on advertising. Operators must promote responsible gambling and are prohibited from obtaining rights to sports broadcasts. The legislation establishes a system of self-regulation, with betting operators expected to adhere to standards set by the National Council for Advertising Self-Regulation (CONAR).
However, there is some good news. The Prime Minister’s amendments now explicitly allow foreign operators to apply for a licence, something that was less obvious in the original rules.
Unsurprisingly, the changes have not been well received. The tax rate is higher than in previous drafts; after taking into account all additional taxes, operators will have to pay a tax of 30.82 per cent of gross gambling revenue (GGR).
Moreover, operators have expressed concerns about how the Central Bank will handle sports betting transactions and whether this will have any impact on poker operations in the future. Another concern is the unclear rules for market entry.
The strict sanctions of the law for unregistered betting platforms are worrying. Many bookmakers have been operating in the grey market for a long time and fear that the gap between the rules coming into force and actually obtaining a licence could lead to legal action if they continue to operate during this time.
? Country | Brazil |
? Currency | Brazilian Real |
⚽ Popular Sports | Volleyball, Basketball, Tennis, MMA |
? Most Popular Payment Methods | Visa, MasterCard, Pix |
Top 5 casino sites in Brazil
1xbet
The bookmaker 1xBet is one of the leaders of the betting market since 2007. More than 500 thousand users have evaluated this relatively young but constantly developing bookmaker.
It has a reputation as a high-quality betting site because of its huge variety of sports betting options, top-notch customer support, large selection of payment methods and a host of features.
1xBet’s portfolio of sports betting and markets is varied and rich to cater for different preferences. Here’s a more detailed overview of this remarkable set:
Wassort: the selection covers a wide range of sports, including not only perennial favourites such as football, basketball, tennis and cricket, but also niche airs such as darts, chess, cyber sports. The inclusion of non-sports events such as politics, entertainment and weather ensures that every whim and mood is fulfilled. 1xbet Review
Depth: There are plenty of betting options waiting for you in each sport. Coverage ranges from significant leagues and tournaments to the more obscure ones. A wide range of market options for each game or event, including match results, goal totals, handicaps, corners and cards, will satisfy the discerning punter. The ability to choose from different bet types is well matched to individual preferences and strategic inclinations.
Advantages:
- Large selection of sports
- Competitive odds
- Many banking methods
- Quick payouts
Disadvantages:
- UI/UX design
- Curacao Gaming License
Qbet
Qbet has a betting site that can be accessed under one account at the click of a button. By registering with the bookmaker, you will have access to over 35 sports. Some of the popular choices include football, basketball, baseball and cricket. You can also choose niche sports such as indoor football, darts and water polo. There is also a cyber sports section where you will find top games such as League of Legends, Dota 2 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.
The odds here are just as competitive as at other bookmakers, whether it’s pre-match betting or live betting. Speaking of live betting, there is a special section where you can find current games across all sports. One of the best features of this section is that you can follow selected games using an animated event stream.
These graphs show you which team is in possession of the ball and where. There is also a stats section that displays various key events in the game, such as the number of yellow/red cards.
Advantages:
- A sportsbook section
- Variety of payment methods including crypto
- Live chat feature
- Loyalty program
Disadvantages:
- May be unavailable in some regions.
- No mobile app
- Big wagering requirements
MegaPari
MegaPari is a feature-rich wagering site covering games and club gambling, with fantastic functionality and administration options for all club and sports gamers worldwide. This is the reason why online club gambling players like the MegaPari gambling site. Incidentally, the advent of advanced web-based wagering services has made betting interesting for leisure or sports activities.
Megapari betting site is a simple computerised betting site. Since the bookmaker has integrated virtually all the #1 occasions for each player, regardless of how you look at it, expect exciting games, virtual and cyber sports, and different occasions on which the player could bet real money, for example, weather evaluations, legislative issues, financial reports and so on. Its game plan covers football, tennis, basketball, ice hockey, volleyball, table tennis, cricket, American football, cyber sports, bare knuckle boxing, billiards, Boat Racing, Bowls, Boxing, chess, darts, Field Hockey, floorball, Formula 1, Futsal, Gaelic, Greyhound Racing, Handball, Horse Racing, Throwing, Keirin, Kun Khmer, Lacrosse, Lottery, Martial Arts, Muay Thai, Pesapallo, Rugby, Snooker, Additionally surfing, trotting and so on are available. The choices are endless as each game has an extensive betting market.
MegaPari betting markets
There are a huge number of MegaPari betting markets advertised now for sure. In any case, the size of the betting markets depends on the type of events you will be participating in. For example, football fans can bet on options like Asian defeat, Total Score, Total, Total, 12, 1, 2, 1X2, 1X, 1X, 2X, who will score first, number of red/yellow cards in the group/each game part, correct score, winning group in FT, Odds/No Score, Over/Under and so on. The availability of several betting markets for each match makes Megapari sports betting attractive. Apart from football, other significant standard games have huge betting markets.
MegaPari odds market
The odds market at MegaPari offers a great solution for card sharks. Thus, there are six odds options to choose from – US, UK, decimalisation, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Malaysia. You can choose any of them from the settings panel on the main menu.
Like regular betting licences, there are two main betting markets at MegaPari – the powerful betting market reflects the changes that sometimes occur during a game on a particular occasion. The odds during the game are really high and are as low as 2.50. Be that as it may, fixed odds are set for predetermined numbers prior to the event. In any case, these odds are not that high compared to dynamic odds, for example, from 1.40 (usually the lowest) to 5.50.
Advantages:
- Firstly, the site offers lots of sports betting markets.
- Secondly, the service has several generous promotions and bonuses.
- Thirdly, it allows you to view the odds in many different formats, including decimal and American.
- Fourthly, the site has a live streaming feature.
Disadvantages:
- It’s relatively new on the market
Betglobal
BetGlobal sports betting covers a wide range of your favourite sports and events. Whether you’re into football, ice hockey, handball, tennis or other sports, the Delasport bookmaker offers a diverse selection. Football fans can bet on events or leagues such as Serie A, Premier League, Bundesliga, Champions League and even the NFL.
BetGlobal stands out with its sports betting bonus, tailored to the odds, which is an added incentive for new punters who prefer sports betting. Combined with BetGlobal’s unique odds cashback offer, BetGlobal becomes an attractive option for those who want to bet on their favourite teams and players.
Particularly notable is the expansion of the sports betting cashback offers that are usually provided for slot machines on other platforms.
Virtual Sports at BetGlobal
BetGlobal is making virtual sports a separate category on its site. This move shows that the casino pays special attention to this type of entertainment. Players receive a weekly 10% cashback for losses in virtual sports. To find out more, visit BetGlobal’s promotions page.
Advantages:
- Welcome bonus
- A great many suppliers under one roof
- Crypto-friendly
- Slot tournaments
- Branded slots & live dealer tables
Disadvantages:
- Notarized documents may be required
- No loyalty program
- Changing game type or bet structure after significant gain to complete WR is considered bonus abuse
BetAndreas
BetAndreas is a prominent figure in the online gambling and betting industry, setting the standard for reliability and user engagement. As a comprehensive platform, the bookmaker combines the excitement of a casino with the strategic depth of sports betting, catering to a diverse audience with varied interests in the gaming world.
At the heart of BetAndreas’ success is a commitment to reliability. With strict security measures and a transparent operating system, the platform ensures that every transaction and game is conducted in a fair and safe environment.
The user experience at BetAndreas Casino is enhanced by a carefully designed interface that prioritises intuitiveness and ease of navigation. Whether betting on sporting events or participating in the myriad of casino games, users find the structure and functionality of the platform conducive to a smooth and enjoyable experience.
The breadth of betting options available at BetAndreas is another of its hallmarks. The platform ensures that there is something for everyone, from traditional casino games such as slot machines and table games, to a wide range of sports betting options covering popular and niche sports.
Advantages:
- Diverse range of sports betting
- Impressive casino section
- Generous bonuses and promotions
- User-friendly interface
- Wide variety of payment options for Bangladesh
- Dedicated mobile app for Android and iOS
- Responsive customer support
Disadvantages:
- Lack of live streaming
- Limited availability of local sports betting options
- Potential currency conversion fees
- Limited language options for Bangladeshi players