Brazil sees 588% surge in betting auto‑exclusion requests during World Cup

During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Brazil recorded a sharp rise in requests to block individuals from betting platforms. The government’s Centralized Auto‑Exclusion Platform received 250,129 block or extension requests between 15 and 28 June, averaging 17,866 daily requests – a 588% increase compared with the 2,594 daily average recorded in mid‑May.

The system, launched in 2025 by the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) of the Ministry of Finance, blocks a citizen’s CPF across all licensed betting operators. Users apply through the official gov.br portal, select a duration (1 to 12 months or indefinite), and the block is enforced nationally, also preventing targeted betting advertising. The recent spike is attributed to heightened exposure to betting during the tournament and growing awareness of gambling‑related risks.

Stakeholders, including consumer‑protection groups, note that many requests may come from individuals without prior compulsive‑gambling issues, seeking to avoid exposure altogether. The full tournament data are still being compiled.