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Today marks the last day operators can file for a licence in Brazil and be guaranteed an answer by the new year.
Many applications have been made over the last week, as online gaming and sports-betting operators rush to apply in time. In 24 hours alone last week, 13 operators filed their paperwork.
As of this morning, 62 operators had applied for the R$30m (US$5.5m) licence.
Any application submitted after today will not be guaranteed authorisation this year. The Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) has said licensing could take up to 150 days.
From January 1, 2025, unauthorised operators will be subject to fines.
Applicants include recognisable names such as Betano (Kaizen Gaming Brasil), Rei do Pitaco, Aposta Ganha, Caesars Sportsbook, Betsson, EstrelaBet, bet365 and Betway, in addition to local operators. A full list of up-to-date applicants can be found here.
Pixbet, who already has the controversial licence from LOTERJ to operate exclusively in the state of Rio de Janeiro, also filed for a national licence. LOTERJ has been fighting in court to keep operators without the Rio licence from operating within their territory. Pixbet has already been busy announcing the launch of a betting platform with popular sports club Flamengo, which would be the first of its kind.
Rafael Marchetti Marcondes, chief legal officer at Rei do Pitaco, said in a statement: “Rei do Pitaco eagerly awaits the opening of the regulated market in Brazil. The company, which has always operated in the fantasy sports sector, views with optimism the possibility of offering its customers other types of games such as sports betting and iGaming, aiming to have a more comprehensive ecosystem to entertain its clients. The company has been preparing for a long time to apply for an operator licence in Brazil.”
Licences that are granted will last for five years, which is nearly the length of time operators have been waiting since the original sports-betting law was first passed in 2018.
Operators still await the fate of the larger gambling bill for land-based casinos and bingo halls, which will reportedly be discussed in the Senate in October.
