Federal Senate establishes PCI on betting operations in Brazil

On November 12, 2024, Brazil’s Federal Senate established a Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry (“PCI”) to investigate betting websites in Brazil — called “CPI das bets” in Portuguese — under the authorship and report of Senator Soraya Thronicke.  

This PCI will initially run for 130 days and aims to investigate potential misconduct perpetrated by betting operators, including money laundering, currency evasion, and crimes against consumers.

It is worth reminding that CPI das bets is running in parallel with “CPI das Apostas”, which investigates online gaming and betting operations, especially within the context of Brazilian soccer.

CPI das bets is expected to impact the sector significantly, be it in terms of investigations, with subpoenas of companies and specialists, disclosure orders and lifting of seals, or with conclusions that can affect the existing regulation and further developments into other legal spheres, such as the launching of criminal investigations.

Monitoring and taking direct action in conjunction with the competent authorities, within the context of CPI das bets, will preserve the rights of companies currently operating or aiming to operate in the Brazilian betting market.

Demarest’s White-Collar Crime, Litigation, and Public and Regulatory Law teams are available to discuss this matter and provide further clarifications.