The Ministry of Finance has ordered an immediate halt to the operations of Pixbet, a sports betting company situated in Paraíba. This precautionary action also mandates the cancellation of ongoing bets and the repayment of wagered amounts to users.
This decision comes in the wake of Operation Arena, launched last Thursday, which involved the federal police, the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Ministry of Finance, and the Federal Revenue Service. The operation focuses on an investigation into the business group due to suspected currency evasion and money laundering tied to sports betting activities.
Ernildo Júnior, who owns Pixbet, was approached by agents from the federal police while in Campina Grande on Thursday. Authorities seized the vehicle he was in as well as his mobile phone during the execution of a search warrant.
Lawyers representing Pixbet expressed surprise at the order, stating they had not been informed of the authorization for the operation. They indicated they would comment further once they have reviewed the decision.
The Ministry of Finance highlights that Pixbet allegedly did not meet standards necessary for the monitoring and oversight of betting companies, particularly concerning mechanisms for managing compulsive gambling. The decision points out that Pixbet failed to provide essential information requested by the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA), which oversees the domains "pix.bet.br," "ganhei.bet.br," and "betdasorte.bet.br."
The SPA noted that the precautionary measure was implemented due to the high risk posed to bettors and to the integrity of the regulated market. Consequently, the tax authorities have instructed the suspension of operations for all websites associated with the company, with a stipulation that Pixbet can only resume if it submits the required missing information and demonstrates adherence to regulatory standards.
Crucially, this decision does not relate to the ongoing Operation Arena investigation by the Federal Revenue Service and federal police regarding Pixbet's alleged involvement in money laundering through cryptocurrency and offshore entities. However, it coincidentally unfolded the same day, with the SPA confirming that regulatory measures against Pixbet had been in progress prior to this operation.
The Ministry of Finance’s order effectively mandates the cancellation of all bets currently underway and ensures that all wagered amounts are returned to bettors. A daily fine of BRL200,000 will be imposed if Pixbet fails to comply with the suspension order. The company retains the ability to operate in Rio de Janeiro and Paraná, where it holds valid local licenses.
Operation Arena itself is probing a business group suspected of utilizing offshore corporate structures to obscure the origin and flow of funds derived from gambling activities. The operation executed a total of 19 search and seizure warrants across Paraíba, São Paulo, Sergipe, Rio de Janeiro, and Paraná, also seeking to lift banking and telecommunications secrecy, aiming to seize about BRL1.1 billion.
Agents targeted the Pixbet headquarters in Campina Grande as part of these searches, including the residence of an individual identified as a "front man" for the group. Those involved in this investigation could potentially face serious charges including currency evasion and money laundering, as well as other financial crimes against the national system.
