Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming launches website that checks in seconds if a betting site is regulated

Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming launches website that checks in seconds if a betting site is regulated

Interactive tool is part of the “No More Elephant in the Room” campaign launched in September to reinforce the fight against illegal platforms

The Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR), an entity that brings together the main operators in Brazil and worldwide, announces the launch of BetAlert, an unprecedented tool that allows any user to quickly and easily verify whether the betting site they intend to use is regulated by the Federal Government. The initiative is part of the “No More Elephant in the Room” campaign, which includes a TV commercial, radio spots, airport panels, and social media actions. Its goal is to guide bettors in choosing platforms regulated by the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting, under the Ministry of Finance.

Conducted between April and May 2025 with 2,000 adult bettors, research by the Locomotiva Institute served as the basis for the economic study prepared by LCA. The survey estimates that between 41% and 51% of the Brazilian betting market still operates illegally. The activity of these irregular platforms reflects an alarming fiscal impact: between R$ 1.8 billion and R$ 2.7 billion went uncollected in just three months – which could reach R$ 10.8 billion in one year.

Named BetAlert (https://betalert.com.br/), the technology runs on an exclusive microsite that offers an interactive experience for those looking to bet safely and obtain tips on how to differentiate regulated betting sites from illegal ones. Simply enter the URL of any betting site, and the tool immediately indicates whether the platform is licensed. If it is regulated, the following message appears: “All good. This betting site is authorized by the Federal Government.” If not, the system displays a creative alert integrated into the campaign by agency We: “Attention. This betting site is not authorized by the Federal Government,” reinforcing the illegality of the platform consulted.

“IBJR greatly values the use of tools and technologies that contribute to spreading knowledge about the sector. BetAlert is extremely important, and we hope it will be widely used by bettors and Brazilian society. Our goal is to ensure that people have access to all the benefits of regulation, the core of which is the safety of those who bet,” says Fernando Vieira, Executive President of IBJR

Vulnerable Consumer

Data from the Locomotiva Institute survey raise an alert about the difficulty consumers face in identifying which platforms operate legally:

• 78% find it difficult to distinguish legal sites from illegal ones;

• 72% state they are not always able to verify platform compliance;

• 46% of respondents have already deposited money on a platform later identified as fake or irregular;

• 73% of bettors claim to have used at least one of the illegal platforms mapped in 2025

How to know if a betting site is safe?

When betting on an online platform, safety must be a priority. There are important factors that help consumers identify whether a site is trustworthy. For example, sites authorized by the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA):

• Must obligatorily use the “.bet.br” domain.

• Adopt a strict registration system, requiring facial recognition to prevent access by minors under 18, in addition to submitting documents and other checks to identify the bettor.

• Offer the possibility of setting financial loss and playtime limits, as well as mechanisms to detect risky gambling behavior and send alerts.

• Only allow transactions via PIX and debit from the account of the registered user – they do not accept credit cards or cryptocurrencies.

• Official platforms offer self-exclusion mechanisms for bettors.

About IBJR
The Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR) was founded in 2023 and brings together the leading betting companies in Brazil and worldwide. Its mission is to build an ethical, sustainable, and responsible online betting ecosystem, always defending a regulated market.

The entity’s work is based on two essential pillars: combating the illegal market and promoting responsible gaming. We believe that efficient regulation is fundamental to boosting the sector, strengthening the economy, and ensuring safety for both bettors and operators. That is why we actively work to tackle illegal betting sites, which operate outside the law, harm the industry, and put society at risk.

IBJR members include the following operators: A2FBR, Alfa, bet365, BandBet, BetBoom, BetMGM, Betnacional, Betsson Group, Entain (Sportingbet and Betboo), EstrelaBet, Flutter Brazil (Betfair), Kaizen Gaming (Betano), KTO Group, Novibet, Skill on Net (Bacana Play and PlayUzu), and Todos Querem Jogar (Bet do Milhão). Associated members include: OKTO, Better Collective, Clever Advertising, OneKey Payments, and GeoComply.