Brazil President Lula signs decree to block illegal betting proceeds

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed Decree No. 13.033/2026, authorising the immediate blocking of financial resources from illegal fixed‑quota betting operators. Blocked funds will be transferred to the National Public Security Fund to support the fight against organized crime.

The decree follows a wider crackdown that has seen the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) request the blocking of nearly 50 000 illegal betting sites, affecting about 350 operators and 37 fintech or payment institutions. The Ministry of Finance also published a portaria extending joint tax liability to financial institutions that move illicit betting money.

In parallel, the government announced that digital influencers promoting illegal betting platforms will face tax obligations on their earnings. The Ministry of Health will expand tele‑attendance services for gambling‑addiction patients, investing around R$ 70 million and using revenue from the bet tax, which generated R$ 4.5 billion in 2025.