The Brazilian Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP) has officially escalated its campaign against unauthorized iGaming by formally contacting tech giants Apple and Google.
The move follows an extensive investigation that identified over 120 mobile applications illegally offering gambling services to Brazilian citizens through the App Store and Google Play Store.
Violations of Consumer and Minor Protections
Authorities have expressed alarm at the accessibility of these platforms, noting that they were “easily found” and lacked even basic age verification systems. Most concerning to the MJSP is that many of these apps were not “disguised under the guise of other functionalities,” but were openly promoting unlicensed betting.
The investigation revealed that search terms such as “jogo do Tigrinho”, popular Brazilian slang for online slots inspired by Tiger Fortune, frequently surfaced numerous unlicensed apps. The ministry claims these platforms violate several critical laws, including:
- Brazil’s Consumer Protection Code: For misleading and unregulated financial offers.
- ECA Digital: The Digital Statute for Children and Adolescents, due to the total absence of age gating.
Demand for Policy Transparency
Stephen Guppy, reporting on the crackdown, highlighted that the government has requested “detailed explanations” from both Apple and Google regarding their internal pre-screening and age verification processes.
The companies have been ordered to submit an updated and comprehensive list of all apps in the lottery, betting, and casino categories currently available in Brazil, including full developer details and declared regulatory approvals from the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets.
This action by the Brazilian Ministry of Justice signals a new era of accountability for “Big Tech” in the Brazilian market, as the government seeks to dismantle the decades-old black market that persists alongside the newly established regulated industry.
