Brazil referred 10,435 illegal betting sites for blocking following MP 1.394/2026
Authorities report a drop of R$652.6M in deposits alongside multi-channel removal measures.
Key Takeaways
- Between September 25 and October 1, 2026, authorities referred 10,435 websites to Anatel for blocking.
- Player deposits fell by 30.99% by September 26, a reduction of R$652.6 million.
- 3,040 pieces of content were identified on networks and messaging for removal, reaching nearly 3.46 million users on Telegram, Discord, and TikTok.
- Decree No. 13.131/2026, in effect from October 1, expands the authority of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security and assigns functions to Sedigi.
- Operators must provide balances by CPF between October 7 and 8; banks will return funds between October 9 and 14.
The federal government referred 10,435 illegal betting sites to the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) for blocking between September 25 and October 1, 2026, following the enactment of Provisional Measure No. 1.394/2026. Authorities, in a joint report from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, indicated that player deposits on betting platforms fell by 30.99% by September 26, equivalent to a reduction of R$652.6 million.
Referral and blocking of sites: figures and scope
Between September 25 and October 1, authorities referred 10,435 websites to Anatel for blocking. In parallel, 3,040 pages, profiles, channels, groups, and servers on social media and messaging platforms requiring removal were identified. The official breakdown is: 1,974 Facebook pages, 375 Instagram profiles, 605 Telegram channels/groups/profiles, 85 TikTok profiles, and one Discord server.
Authorities estimated that on Telegram, Discord, and TikTok, the identified content reached approximately 3.46 million users, members, or followers. Additionally, 186 applications listed in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store were notified to remove betting advertisements before October 6.
Removal of advertising and notifications to platforms
The formally notified platforms include Google, Meta, YouTube, X, Telegram, TikTok, Kwai, and Discord. The communications require the removal of advertising and content that facilitate or promote betting in violation of Provisional Measure No. 1.394/2026. The Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP) coordinates these requests to service providers and app stores.
New administrative capabilities: Decree No. 13.131/2026
As of October 1, 2026, Decree No. 13.131/2026 came into effect, extending the authority of the MJSP to implement the provisional measure. The decree assigns the National Secretariat for Digital Rights (Sedigi) specific functions: to monitor platforms, request information from providers, examine transparency reports, and communicate with providers and app stores the necessity to remove content that violates the measure.
The decree also provides for the establishment of additional operational capabilities within the state apparatus to support orders for blocking and monitoring of content in the digital environment.
Financial oversight and permanent unit of the Federal Police
The Federal Police will establish a permanent unit dedicated to asset laundering and recovery. The functions of this unit include monitoring financial flows linked to illegal betting, manipulation of sports competitions, cryptocurrencies, and related criminal activities.
The Ministry of Finance reported collaborative data with the Central Bank: according to the Minister of Finance, Dario Durigan, daily fund movements to betting houses before the measure took effect were around R$600 million per day. Durigan stated that this movement "ceased to exist" from the Saturday following the publication of the provisional measure.
"The first very important information we received in partnership with the Central Bank is that the daily flow of funds to betting houses, before last Friday, was about R$600 million per day. This flow has ceased to exist since Saturday," said Dario Durigan.
Procedure for the return of player balances
The report sets a timeline for handling outstanding balances. Between October 7 and 8, operators will need to provide financial institutions with the details of outstanding balances by CPF. Banks will proceed to return funds between October 9 and 14. The plan aims to ensure the orderly restitution of funds held on platforms now deemed illegal.
What does Provisional Measure No. 1.394/2026 imply for operators and platforms
The measure prohibits activities related to online gambling that facilitate, operate, or advertise betting from its enactment. The MJSP, empowered by the administrative tools reinforced by the decree, can coordinate blockages, require information from providers, and issue notifications to app stores.
For operators and technology providers, this means immediate regulatory pressure on multiple fronts: content removal requests, requirements for information on financial flows, and close coordination with the Federal Police on asset laundering investigations.
Operational repercussions and next steps
The actions carried out in the first week show a combined approach of technical blocking (through Anatel and app stores) and financial oversight (with participation from the Ministry of Finance and the Federal Police). Notifications to major digital platforms could result in rapid withdrawals of advertising and promotional content.
Authorities have indicated that they will maintain vigilance and use the new structures outlined in Decree No. 13.131/2026 and Sedigi's functions to support the implementation of Provisional Measure No. 1.394/2026.
For regulatory follow-up in the region, consult dedicated coverage on regulation and news about markets and compliance in our news section.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sites did Brazil refer for blocking and during what period?
Brazil referred 10,435 websites to Anatel for blocking between September 25 and October 1, 2026, according to the joint report from the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Justice and Public Security.
What reduction did deposits on betting platforms register following the measure?
Player deposits on betting platforms decreased by 30.99% by September 26, equivalent to a decline of R$652.6 million, according to the Ministry of Finance.
What obligations do the notified platforms and app stores have?
Google, Meta, YouTube, X, Telegram, TikTok, Kwai, and Discord were notified to remove advertising and betting content; additionally, 186 apps on Apple and Google received removal notifications before October 6.
What new administrative competencies were established to enforce the measure?
Decree No. 13.131/2026, effective from October 1, 2026, grants the National Secretariat for Digital Rights (Sedigi) powers to monitor platforms, request information, and communicate removals, enhancing the MJSP's ability to enforce Provisional Measure No. 1.394/2026.
How will operators manage player balances on affected platforms?
Operators must provide financial institutions with details of outstanding balances by CPF between October 7 and 8; banks will return the funds between October 9 and 14.
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About the author
Miguel Sandoval
Regulatory Affairs Correspondent
Miguel Sandoval tracks gambling legislation, licensing, and regulator enforcement — from Spain's DGOJ and the Latin American authorities to the UKGC, the MGA, and the state-by-state map in North America. The reports answer three questions precisely — what changed, where, and who it affects — with jurisdictions, dates, and penalties cited exactly as published. Operators and compliance officers read Miguel Sandoval to know which rulebook moved before their next meeting.
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