Brazil Court Orders SPA to Issue More Provisional Licences

Can Brazil’s booming online gambling market handle regulatory delays? A recent court ruling has forced the São Paulo-based gambling regulator (SPA) to grant seven additional provisional licences. The decision follows legal action by companies that submitted applications before the deadline but were left waiting for approval. With Brazil’s regulated online betting market in full swing, operators are eager to secure full five-year licences. But is the SPA moving fast enough to keep up with industry demand?

Brazilian Court Orders SPA to Issue More Provisional Online Gambling Licences

Key Points:

1. Brazil’s SPA Ordered to Issue Seven More Provisional Licences

   • The court ruled that companies that applied before August 20 must receive licences if the SPA failed to process them on time.
   • Atlantis Comercio Eletrônico e Software House (MetBet) successfully challenged SPA’s delays and secured a provisional licence.

2. Brazil’s Regulated Market Continues Expanding with New Full Licences

   • Eight more operators received full five-year licences, covering 18 brands and increasing the total number of fully licensed brands to 191.
   • The newly approved companies include EstrelaBet, F12, Upbet Brasil, Ana Gaming, Logame do Brasil, Sevenx Gaming, Bet.Bet, and Hiper Bet.

3. SPA Moves to Strengthen Gambling Regulations in Brazil

   • The regulator has launched a consultation process to improve gambling laws, open until March 27 on the Participa + Brasil platform.
   • The SPA also announced a national self-exclusion program and introduced stricter rules on gambling advertising and financial symbols.

Brazilian Court Forces SPA to Approve More Provisional Online Gambling Licences

Brazil’s online gambling industry is rapidly expanding, but recent regulatory delays have forced legal intervention. A court has now ordered the SPA (São Paulo-based gambling regulator) to issue seven additional provisional licences after companies challenged the regulator’s failure to process applications on time.

The ruling comes after Atlantis Comercio Eletrônico e Software House (MetBet) filed a lawsuit, arguing that the SPA’s delays prevented them from entering the market despite applying before the August 20 deadline. The court agreed, ruling that MetBet and other applicants must receive provisional licences to legally operate while completing full licensing requirements.

Brazil’s online gambling regulatory framework officially launched on January 1, 2025, with the SPA initially approving 71 of 144 licence applications submitted before August 20, 2024.

Since then, the SPA has issued 43 full licences, allowing approved operators to run legally for five years. However, several applicants that met the deadline have been left in limbo, prompting legal challenges.

New Full Licences Approved as Market Grows

While the SPA works through backlogged applications, it continues to issue full five-year licences. The latest batch of approved operators includes:

• EstrelaBet
• F12
• Upbet Brasil
• Ana Gaming
• Logame do Brasil
• Sevenx Gaming
• Bet.Bet
• Hiper Bet

These eight newly approved operators represent 18 brands, bringing the total number of fully licensed brands in Brazil to 191.

Notably, Hiper Bet is the only company from this batch that did not previously hold a provisional licence, meaning the SPA is also progressing towards finalizing full approvals for first-time applicants.

Brazilian Regulator Shifts Focus to Compliance and Consumer Protection

With the licensing process in motion, the SPA is now prioritizing player protection and responsible gambling measures.

1. National Self-Exclusion Program

   • The SPA has announced that it will begin developing a national self-exclusion program for players seeking gambling restrictions.

2. Advertising Regulations

   • The SPA has banned the use of national symbols in gambling marketing, prohibiting:
     • The Brazilian real (R$) currency symbol in gambling promotions.
     • Images of Brazilian banknotes or coins in advertising materials.
   • The goal is to prevent misleading marketing that suggests prizes are directly paid in cash, which is prohibited under Brazilian gambling law.

3. Consultation Process to Improve Regulations

   • The SPA has launched a public consultation to gather industry and consumer feedback on gambling regulations.
   • The consultation will remain open on the Participa + Brasil platform until March 27.
   • An online public hearing is scheduled for February 21 to discuss potential regulatory changes.

What’s Next for Brazil’s Online Gambling Market?

The court ruling to issue more provisional licences highlights ongoing regulatory challenges in Brazil’s fast-growing online gambling sector. However, with new full licences being granted and regulatory improvements underway, the market remains on track for further expansion.

In the coming months, expect:

• More court challenges from operators still waiting for licence approvals.
• Further regulatory adjustments based on the SPA’s consultation findings.
• Increased enforcement against unlicensed operators as Brazil’s legal framework strengthens.

A Rapidly Growing Market Facing Regulatory Hurdles

Brazil’s online gambling industry is evolving quickly, but regulatory delays and legal battles remain obstacles. The court’s decision to force the SPA to approve more provisional licences underscores the demand for faster processing and clearer licensing procedures.

With full licences increasing and new regulatory measures in development, Brazil’s iGaming market is poised for long-term growth—but only if the SPA can streamline its approval process and maintain strong regulatory oversight.

The key question now is: Can Brazil’s gambling regulator keep pace with the industry’s rapid expansion?