Esportes Gaming Brasil has emphasized the importance of consumer vigilance against fraudulent and illegal betting platforms, cautioning that simply checking for a .bet.br domain should not be the sole method for verifying a legitimate operator. In light of National Online Betting Day, the Brazilian betting group outlined seven essential checks for consumers to differentiate authorized operators from illegal sites, including scams and cloned platforms.
From January 1, 2025, only companies licensed by Brazil’s Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) can operate nationally, with those authorized utilizing the .bet.br domain. However, Esportes Gaming Brasil pointed out that scammers often replicate the names, branding, advertising, and social media presence of legitimate bookmakers, attempting to mislead bettors.
Carol Luna, Head of Compliance at Esportes Gaming Brasil Group, remarked, “.bet.br is the first filter, but security does not end with checking the domain. Consumers should look at the entire experience: who operates the brand, how their identity is verified, where payments can come from, which control tools are available, and how customer support can be accessed.”
The organization outlined seven key areas for consumers to consider when evaluating a betting platform: verifying the operator against the SPA’s official list, accessing platforms via verified channels rather than through ads or search results, confirming proper identity verification methods are in place, examining payment options, ensuring the presence of limits and self-exclusion mechanisms, checking for accessible customer support, and remaining cautious of promises related to guaranteed profits or loss recovery.
Esportes Gaming Brasil also highlighted identity verification as a crucial element that separates regulated companies from illegal betting sites. Authorized platforms are mandated to validate customer information and implement authentication practices, such as facial recognition with proof of life.
Luna added, “Verification may initially be perceived as an additional step, but it serves a very practical purpose. It helps prevent underage access, misuse of another person’s identity, fraud, and transactions that are inconsistent with the account holder.”
The group reiterated that consumer protection should extend throughout the entirety of the gambling experience, not simply at the point of account creation. Regulated platforms are expected to offer features including financial and time limits along with self-exclusion options, ensuring funds only move between the bettor and a payment account held in their own name.
In Luna’s words, “A regulated market needs to provide consumers with enough information to make informed decisions and recognize their own limits. Safety is not simply about preventing fraud during registration. It is also about ensuring transparency, access to control tools, and support for anyone who decides to stop gambling.
