SPA/MF publishes 2025-2026 regulatory agenda for the fixed-odds betting sector

On April 15, 2025, the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting of the Ministry of Finance (“SPA/MF”) issued  SPA/MF Ordinance No. 817/2025, which establishes the regulatory agenda for the fixed-odds betting sector relating to the 2025-2026 biennium.

The regulatory agenda aims to give greater predictability, transparency, and planning to the work of the SPA/MF, structuring the following priority topics to be regulated in the 2025-2026 period:

• Fostering responsible gambling, preventing pathological gambling, and mitigating externalities;

• Fostering a balanced, transparent regulatory environment with adequate levels of compliance; and

• National strengthening of regulation and inspection.

The annex to the ordinance establishes 13 topics to be regulated by next year, divided into three-month cycles, as summarized below:

2nd quarter of 2025 

• Data platform for self-excluded gamblers: Developing and implementing a platform with regulations for consulting and sharing data on self-excluded gamblers and those prevented from gambling, to enforce responsible gaming regulations and prevent pathological gambling.
• Use of image and sports symbols: Improving the model for implementing and allocating funds in exchange for the use of athletes’ photos, names, and sports nicknames, as well as sports symbols, anthems, and other rights.
• Distinctive label for authorized operators: Establishing parameters for creating a distinctive label for authorized operators.

3rd quarter of 2025 

• Commercial advertising: Streamlining the regulations and procedures for authorizing, monitoring, and sanctioning commercial advertising for greater efficiency and simplification.
• Exclusive Instant Lottery (“LOTEX”) regulations: Revising LOTEX regulations, improving the current model.
• Online gaming economic chain: Regulating gaming providers and services linked to operators, with a focus on integrity, oversight, and combating illegal practices.

4th quarter of 2025

• National Betting System: Creating a federative structure for coordination between the Union, states, and the Federal District, including national guidelines for responsible gaming, prevention of money laundering, and other good regulatory practices.
• Care for gamblers in situations of addiction: Improving the guidelines and regulations for adequate care for consumers and family members affected by gambling addiction, with a focus on mental health and damage mitigation.

1st quarter of 2026 

• Supervision: Improving the procedures for supervising operators, including combating irregular digital platforms.
• Authorization of operators: Revising the operator authorization process provided for in Ordinance SPA/MF No. 827/2024.

2nd quarter of 2026

• Requirements and capacity of certification bodies: Revising the requirements and procedures for recognizing the operational capacity of certification bodies with a view to a regulated and balanced national betting system.

3rd quarter of 2026

• Advance funding of popular savings: Streamlining the procedures for authorizing advance funding of popular savings, introducing innovations to the regulations in force.

4th quarter of 2026

• Sanctioning regime: Revising the sanctioning regime applicable to the commercial operation of the fixed-odds betting lottery.

Demarest’s multidisciplinary team is available to provide any further clarification that may be necessary.