ANJL Endorses New Betting Ad Rules, Urges Crackdown on Unlicensed Operators

The National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) has voiced its backing for the Brazilian government's forthcoming advertising restrictions for betting firms, while stressing that tighter oversight of unlicensed platforms is essential to make the measures effective.

On Thursday, the government unveiled new advertising standards for betting operators, which include warnings from the Ministry of Finance about the risks of gambling. The rules have yet to be published in the Federal Official Gazette.

In a statement, the ANJL said it supports the Ministry of Finance's initiative and called for full adherence to the regulations, noting that legal operators already under the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets' supervision should not be disadvantaged. However, the association warned that the crackdown must extend to illegal platforms that "operate without federal government authorisation" and fail to pay taxes or respect advertising norms.

The ANJL highlighted that unlicensed sites lack anti-money laundering safeguards, age-verification measures, and tools to combat compulsive gambling. Such platforms, the group argued, damage the sector's reputation and must face enforcement actions from regulators.

According to the association, a sustainable betting market can only emerge when clear rules govern every aspect of operations. By endorsing the government's latest measures, the ANJL considers it another step toward that goal, provided enforcement against illegal advertising is prioritised.