Brazil Expands Legal Betting to Include Esports Titles

Brazil’s rapidly evolving betting landscape just took another major leap forward. In a landmark move, the government has expanded its fixed-odds betting rules to include popular esports titles like Counter-Strike, Valorant, and Fortnite.

Previously, Brazilian betting regulations only allowed wagering on games recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). This limited the scope mainly to traditional or Olympic-endorsed games, excluding most high-profile esports, particularly shooter titles. However, a new ordinance, published in the Diário Oficial da União, has officially changed that.

Now, Brazil’s Ministry of Sport has updated Law No. 14.790/2023 to permit bets on esports tournaments that have licenses or authorizations from the game developers or intellectual property holders. This change reflects Brazil’s commitment to modernizing its gambling framework in step with the explosive growth of the esports and online betting markets.

This update unlocks a vast and lucrative market for operators and bettors alike. It allows legal wagering on the biggest esports tournaments globally, providing fans more engagement opportunities and helping legitimate betting operators tap into a highly active community. As Brazilians spend an estimated BRL 20–30 billion ($5.28 billion) monthly on online betting, this expansion could significantly boost licensed operator revenues while ensuring consumer protection.

Operators must now align their offerings with the updated guidelines, securing necessary permissions from game developers before launching esports markets. Meanwhile, bettors should look for licensed platforms that comply with the new rules to ensure a safe and regulated betting experience.

Brazil Opens Betting Markets to Esports Giants Like Counter-Strike and Fortnite

Key Points

• Regulatory Expansion: Brazil has broadened its betting regulations to include esports like Counter-Strike, Valorant, and Fortnite.
• Removal of Olympic Restriction: Betting eligibility is no longer tied to International Olympic Committee recognition.
• Developer Authorization Required: Esports events must have licensing or authorization from intellectual property holders to qualify.

Brazil’s Betting Framework Embraces the Future of Esports

Brazil’s Ministry of Sport has officially modernized the country’s betting regulations, allowing fixed-odds bets on high-profile esports tournaments beyond traditional Olympic-recognized competitions. This bold move comes as part of broader regulatory efforts following the launch of Brazil’s official regulated betting market in late 2023.

Previously, betting in Brazil was limited to sports and esports events recognized by the International Olympic Committee. This outdated model excluded some of the most popular esports titles worldwide, such as Counter-Strike, Valorant, Fortnite, League of Legends, and Dota 2.

With the latest ordinance, fixed-odds betting can now be offered on tournaments authorized by the games’ publishers, drastically expanding the types of events available for legal wagering. This update not only benefits bettors but also boosts opportunities for licensed operators in Brazil’s booming gaming and betting economy.

Brazil’s Central Bank reports that Brazilians already spend between BRL 20 billion and BRL 30 billion per month on online gambling activities. The inclusion of major esports is likely to increase this figure even further, solidifying esports’ status as a central pillar of modern entertainment and betting.

In particular, Fortnite’s inclusion is notable. Although Fortnite appeared at the 2023 Olympic Esports Week, it was adapted into a target-shooting format. Under the new regulations, tournaments featuring Fortnite’s standard competitive modes will also now be eligible for betting, provided they meet the developer authorization requirements.

Today, more than 100 betting operators are licensed in Brazil, offering a highly competitive and rapidly expanding marketplace. With the introduction of esports, operators will need to act swiftly to integrate these offerings, ensure compliance with developer agreements, and capture the attention of Brazil’s large, esports-savvy population.

Brazil’s decision to expand its betting framework to include mainstream esports marks a transformative moment for the country’s gambling industry. By removing the outdated IOC-recognition requirement and embracing developer-authorized tournaments, Brazil is signaling its readiness to lead in the modern era of regulated, diversified betting. As operators move to capitalize on this opportunity and bettors enjoy new wagering options, Brazil’s betting landscape is set to become more dynamic and inclusive than ever before.