Rio de Janeiro Court sees 1,087% increase in betting lawsuits

Lawsuits involving online betting platforms have increased by 1,087% in the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice (TJRJ) over a two-year period, rising from 58 cases in 2024 to 689 in 2026. Bettors are seeking more than R$ 20 million from major operators, including Kaizen Gaming Brasil LTDA (Betano), HS do Brasil LTDA (Bet365), and Ana Gaming Brasil S.A. (7K Bet).

Legal grievances include unpaid winnings, changes to odds, account and withdrawal freezes, and allegedly abusive clauses. This surge follows a federal government ban on the exploitation, offering, and advertising of online gambling throughout Brazil on September 25.

Data from the Fiscal Bulletin of Brazilian States indicates that Brazilian families lost R$ 62.5 billion to betting in 2025. Judge Peterson Barroso Simão noted that as the activity absorbs such massive resources, legal repercussions are inevitable, emphasizing the need for stricter oversight, advertising limits, and psychological support for those with compulsive gambling tendencies.