Brazil Expands eSports Betting to Include Shooter Games

The Brazilian federal government has officially expanded the range of eSports and electronic games eligible for online fixed-odds betting, now including popular shooter titles such as Counter-Strike, Valorant, and Fortnite. The announcement was made public through an extraordinary edition of the Official Gazette of the Union on April 23, with Sports Minister André Fufuca confirming the update.

Expanded eSports List Brings Major Shift to Betting Rules

The Ministry of Sports amended Law No. 14,790/2023 through a new ordinance, setting a broader framework for which games qualify for fixed-odds betting. Under the new regulations, online betting is now allowed for tournaments that secure "license or authorization from the developers" or "the owners of the intellectual property" of the games, moving beyond the previous requirement that only games recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) were eligible.

Previously, Brazil's betting market excluded most shooter games, given that the IOC's eSports catalogue features non-violent competitions such as chess, motor racing, target shooting, cycling, Just Dance, baseball, and tennis. IOC Virtual Sports and Games Director Vincent Pereira explained the IOC’s stance on violent games, stating, “We cannot have these games promoting Olympic values.”

Despite Fortnite’s participation in the 2023 Olympic Esports Week, it had been reformatted as a target-shooting event rather than using its standard battle royale format. With the latest changes, games previously sidelined due to content themes are now part of Brazil’s regulated betting landscape.

Strong Gambling Safeguards Accompany Regulatory Changes

The update to Brazil's betting laws reflects the broader regulatory overhaul that began with President Lula’s December 2023 sanctioning of a national betting framework. Since the legalization of online betting on January 1, 2025, Brazil’s Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) has intensified efforts to introduce stronger protections for players.

Among the initiatives, the SPA has prioritized the development of a national self-exclusion system to assist individuals struggling with gambling-related problems. This new platform, expected to roll out during 2025–26, aims to allow bettors to voluntarily exclude themselves from participating platforms.

Additionally, the SPA is preparing to issue quarterly draft regulations for public consultation, offering an open forum for feedback and adjustments to gambling laws. Measures to tighten advertising standards, regulate partnerships between betting firms and sports organizations, and promote transparency are also underway.

The emphasis on consumer protection was reinforced by the SPA’s signing of a five-year technical cooperation agreement with Integrity Compliance 360 (IC360). The partnership is focused on enhancing monitoring systems, detecting match-fixing risks, and ensuring betting integrity. SPA Secretary Regis Dudena highlighted the importance of this collaboration, stating, "Integrity entities such as IC360 play a fundamental role in supporting SPA's activities, especially in identifying signs of match-fixing, in addition to the structured exchange of information."

Market Growth and Regulation in Brazil’s Betting Sector

The adjustments come amid a booming betting industry in Brazil. According to Central Bank data, Brazilians spend between R$20 billion and R$30 billion monthly on online betting activities. More than 100 betting operators have already obtained licenses to operate legally in the country under the current framework.

However, participation in the betting market remains tightly regulated. Companies must be established under Brazilian law and operate with headquarters and administration within Brazil. Individuals prohibited from betting include minors under 18, employees of betting firms, public agents involved in gambling regulation, persons with access to betting systems, individuals capable of influencing sports results, and those diagnosed with gambling disorder.

Through these combined efforts, Brazil aims to create a safer, more transparent betting environment while opening new market opportunities, particularly within the flourishing eSports sector.

Source:

Bets: Governo amplia lista de eSports e games liberados para aposta online e inclui jogos de tiro, g1.globo.com, April 24, 2025.