Brazil Senate Advances Bill Banning Pre-Installed Betting Apps
Recommended casinos
Key Takeaways
- Legislation Update: The Senate Science and Technology Committee (CCT) approved Bill 3.563/2024, aiming to prohibit all fixed-odds betting advertising on social media and mobile platforms.
- Hardware Restriction: A specific clause prohibits pre-installing betting applications on mobile devices, disrupting potential OEM distribution partnerships.
- Severe Penalties: Non-compliance may result in fines of up to R$10 million (~$1.7M USD) and revocation of operating licenses.
Brazil’s Senate Science and Technology Committee (CCT) has significantly escalated the regulatory pressure on the country's newly regulated iGaming market by advancing Bill 3.563/2024. Approved on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, the legislation seeks to implement a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising, with specific provisions targeting the mobile ecosystem that could reshape user acquisition strategies in Latin America's largest market.
The bill, authored by Senator Randolfe Rodrigues, proposes a total ban on marketing for "fixed-odds betting" across all media channels, including radio, television, and, notably, social media. Given that Brazil is a mobile-first nation, with a significant majority of betting volume driven through smartphone apps and influencer campaigns on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, this ban threatens to sever the primary channel for mobile player acquisition.
Crucially for the mobile industry, the text explicitly forbids the pre-installation of betting applications on mobile phones and other electronic devices. This provision directly affects "app-preload" strategies—a growing distribution method in which operators partner with mobile OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) or carriers to have their apps installed out of the box. By blocking this channel, the CCT aims to reduce "passive" exposure to gambling for new device owners.
The legislation also introduces strict penalties for noncompliant operators, including warnings, fines ranging from R$5,000 to R$10 million, and the potential suspension or revocation of the federal licenses recently obtained by more than 80 operators in January 2025.
Industry trade bodies have expressed concern that such restrictive measures, coming just a month after the regulated market's official launch, could inadvertently strengthen the black market by handicapping licensed operators' ability to channel demand through safe, official mobile apps. The bill now moves to the Constitution, Justice and Citizenship Committee (CCJ) for further review before a potential Senate floor vote.
Sources:
