The Secretariat of Prizes and Bets of the Ministry of Finance of Brazil (SPA/MF) formalized its regulatory plan for the 2026-2027 biennium through the publication of Ordinance SPA/MF N° 408/2026 in the Official Gazette of the Union. The document establishes a regulatory action roadmap that seeks to provide predictability, legal certainty, and efficiency to the betting and lottery sector in the country.
Read also: José María Balcázar is the new president of Peru: Congress elected the successor of José Jerí
Brazil’s sports betting market—one of the fastest-growing in the world since its regulated opening in 2023—faces the challenge of maturing institutionally in an environment of rapid expansion. This agenda represents a key step in that process.
What Ordinance SPA/MF N° 408/2026 establishes
According to Article 1° of the text, the published agenda does not prevent the competent technical areas from issuing specific or complementary regulations when they deem it necessary. Nor does it exclude the possibility of other federal bodies intervening in matters within their legal and institutional competencies.
Article 2° specifies that the SPA’s regulatory policy has three central objectives: defining priority regulatory actions, guaranteeing legal certainty and predictability in the regulation process, and promoting a stable and transparent regulatory environment for all actors in the sector.
Regulatory priorities for the first half of 2026
During the first quarter of the year, the SPA will concentrate on three areas of high operational relevance. First, it will review the authorization procedure for betting operators, a process that since the market opening has generated uncertainty among various applicants. Second, it will update the mechanisms linked to the prohibition of irregular payment transactions. Third, it will advance the regulation of advertising carried out by affiliates on the internet, a channel that has grown steadily and that until now operates with imprecise rules.
Between April and June 2026, the focus will shift to in-person channels: the SPA will regulate the operation of betting through physical terminals, which will open a new dimension for the sector and could represent a significant opportunity for operators with a presence in Brazilian territory.
Responsible gaming and oversight, at the center of the second half
The third quarter of 2026 will be dedicated to strengthening responsible gaming policies and preventing gambling addiction. This axis responds to growing pressure from public health agencies and civil society organizations that have pointed out the social impact of problem gambling on the most vulnerable sectors of the population.
Read also: Macao starts the Chinese New Year with a strong influx of tourists
To close the year, between October and December, the SPA plans to refine the monitoring and oversight procedures of the sector, in addition to reviewing the sanctioning regime applicable to lottery companies. Both initiatives aim to consolidate the State’s capacity to effectively supervise a market that moves billions of dollars a year.
The 2027 regulatory agenda: money laundering, popular savings, and lotteries
The year 2027 will begin with a major priority: the evaluation of regulations linked to policies for the prevention of money laundering and the financing of terrorism. In a market where capital flow is high and digital transactions dominate, this point is strategic for both the integrity of the financial system and the international reputation of the sector.
During the second quarter of 2027, the SPA will review the regulation and implementation of mechanisms applicable to the modality of early collection of popular savings, an instrument that combines elements of gaming with savings incentives and has a long tradition in Brazil.
Finally, between July and September 2027, the agenda contemplates proposing a review of the regulation of lottery modalities operated by Caixa Loterias S.A., the state-owned company that has historically dominated the lottery market in the country.
Why this agenda matters for the regional market
The publication of a structured regulatory agenda by biennium is a sign of institutional maturity that distinguishes Brazil from the rest of the markets in the region. The predictability offered by this type of instrument allows operators to plan investments, adapt their business models, and anticipate regulatory changes with sufficient notice.
For international actors operating in or evaluating entry into the Brazilian market, considering that Brazil accounts for nearly 50% of Latin America’s sports betting potential, knowing and monitoring this agenda is an indispensable part of any regional expansion strategy.
Read also: Nigeria faces a regulatory standoff as the sector awaits greater stability
