Bet365 has contested Brazil's newly enacted betting ban, arguing that it violates the Constitution of Brazil. The company warns that the ban could drive customers towards illegal gambling operators. In a statement to The iGaming Europe, Bet365 conveyed its disappointment and concerns regarding the implications of this presidential decree on its customers.
The company emphasized that the prohibition could diminish customer protection and responsible gaming practices, favoring illegal gambling providers instead. A spokesperson for Bet365 remarked, "We are deeply concerned about the ongoing welfare of our customers due to the contents of the presidential decree banning online betting and gaming in Brazil. We firmly believe this decree is unconstitutional and will merely redirect customers from the regulated market to the unsafe illegal black market online, which pays no taxes and lacks standards for responsible gaming. Bet365 supports the trade bodies in their legal challenges to this decision and is committed to assisting our customers during this time of uncertainty."
In February 2025, Bet365 obtained authorization to operate in Brazil, becoming one of 21 online gambling companies approved by the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets. Each license cost R$30 million and is valid for five years. The Brazilian Provisional Measure No. 1.394, published on October 1, 2025, defined a 30-day termination period for the licenses, with no reimbursement for the fees already paid. The law took effect immediately and will be revoked unless validated by Congress within 120 days, excluding parliamentary recesses. The legal proceedings, along with the congressional deliberations, will ultimately determine the future of online gambling operators like Bet365 in Brazil.
