Esportes Gaming Brasil has outlined seven checks consumers can use to assess whether an online betting platform is operating legally in Brazil, warning bettors to look beyond a .bet.br domain when determining whether a site is legitimate.
The guidance, issued to mark National Online Betting Day, is intended to help consumers distinguish authorized operators from illegal betting sites, cloned pages and fraudulent platforms.
Brazil’s regulated online betting framework has required companies operating nationally to hold authorization from the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) since January 1, 2025. Licensed betting websites use the .bet.br domain, although Esportes Gaming Brasil said the domain alone should not be treated as conclusive proof that every aspect of a platform is legitimate.
Carol Luna, Head of Compliance at Esportes Gaming Brasil Group, said: “.bet.br is the first filter, but security does not end with checking the domain. Consumers should look at the entire experience: who operates the brand, how their identity is verified, where payments can come from, which control tools are available and how customer support can be accessed.”
According to the operator, consumers should verify an operator against the SPA’s official list and access betting platforms through verified channels instead of relying solely on advertisements or search results.
Other checks include reviewing the platform’s identity verification procedures and payment methods, confirming the availability of betting limits and self-exclusion tools, checking whether clear customer support channels are provided, and treating promises of guaranteed profits or offers to recover previous losses with caution.
Esportes Gaming Brasil also warned that fraudulent operators can imitate the names, branding, advertising and social media profiles of legitimate companies in an effort to deceive bettors.
Identity verification was highlighted as another distinction between regulated and illegal betting environments. Authorized operators must verify bettor information and use authentication measures, including facial recognition with proof of life.
Luna added: “Verification may initially be perceived as an additional step, but it serves a very practical purpose. It helps prevent underage access, the misuse of another person’s identity, fraud and transactions that are inconsistent with the account holder.”
The company said consumer protection measures should remain in place throughout the player journey. Regulated platforms provide financial and time limits as well as self-exclusion tools, while payments are required to move between the operator and a bank or payment account held in the bettor’s own name.
Luna noted: “A regulated market needs to provide consumers with enough information to make informed decisions and recognise their own limits. Safety is not simply about preventing fraud during registration. It is also about ensuring transparency, access to control tools and support for anyone who decides to stop gambling.”