Ministry of Finance – Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA)

Background and Creation

The Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) was created on January 31, 2024, via Decree No. 11,907, as a dedicated regulatory body within Brazil's Ministry of Finance. Its formation was a direct response to Law No. 14,790, signed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in December 2023, which established the legal framework for fixed-odds betting, including sports betting and online games, and set taxation rules. The SPA replaced fragmented oversight and consolidated all regulatory authority for betting, lotteries, and commercial promotions under a single roof, ending years of regulatory uncertainty.

Structure and Mandate

The SPA is structured into three sub-secretariats: the Sub-Secretariat for Authorization handles license approvals for betting operators, lotteries, and promotions; the Sub-Secretariat for Monitoring and Inspection develops and executes compliance inspections; and the Sub-Secretariat for Sanctioning Action adjudicates administrative violations and imposes penalties. The agency has a core team of 38 professional positions. Its responsibilities include combatting money laundering and terrorist financing, enforcing responsible gambling measures to prevent pathological gambling and protect minors, and overseeing advertising and marketing by operators. The SPA also manages an internal system for controlling and overseeing betting operations.

Key Regulatory Frameworks

The SPA's primary "products" are its regulatory frameworks and oversight systems. The Fixed-Odds Betting Licensing System grants concessions to operators, requiring foreign companies to establish a Brazilian subsidiary for legal accountability. The lottery authorization system regulates all modalities including instant lottery, sweepstakes, and contests. The agency oversees commercial promotions that offer prizes via draws. Its Responsible Gambling Framework mandates operator policies to avoid debt induction and protect vulnerable individuals. The Anti-Money Laundering Monitoring System detects illicit financial flows. The Sanctioning and Compliance System allows for fines, license suspensions, or revocations. The SPA also publishes regulatory agendas and ordinances, such as Ordinance SPA/MF No. 817/2025, which set priorities for responsible gambling, taxation, payment transactions, and data protection.

Market Impact and Coordination

As of the full regulatory launch in 2025, Brazil's betting market is projected to generate between R$6 billion and R$12 billion in annual revenue. The SPA coordinates with the Ministry of Sports on sporting integrity to combat match-fixing. The agency's creation and subsequent regulations have made Brazil one of the few countries with a fully integrated oversight system for fixed-odds betting in Latin America. The first Secretary, Régis Dudena, stepped down in mid-2025; no successor has been publicly confirmed as of the latest sources.