Brazil AGU asks Google to remove illegal gambling YouTube channels

The Brazilian Attorney General’s Office (AGU) issued an extrajudicial notification to Google, the owner of YouTube, demanding the removal of profiles and channels that promote illegal gambling. The notification, sent by the National Prosecutor’s Office for the Defense of Democracy (PNDD), cites videos that provide step‑by‑step tutorials on creating illegal online casino platforms and marketing strategies for the prohibited “jogo do bicho”.

AGU argues the content violates Brazilian law – it constitutes a contravention under Decree‑Law 3.688/1941 and breaches Law 14.790/2023, which requires prior authorization from the Ministry of Finance for any fixed‑odds betting. The agency warned that such material threatens consumer protection and may be linked to tax evasion and money‑laundering, adding that Google could face civil liability if it fails to act.

The agency’s request references an investigation by the fact‑checking portal Agência Lupa, which identified several YouTube videos offering illicit gambling guidance. AGU asserted, “Embora os perfis se intitulem como empresas de marketing digital, propagam livremente o jogo não regulado e estimulam práticas que configuram contravenção penal.” The notification urges immediate compliance with Brazilian legal decisions, including those of the Supreme Court, to curb the spread of illegal gambling content online.