The World Cup drives demand for sports betting: can you spot an illegal betting site?

Brazil, June 17, 2026 – The World Cup tends to stir up not only fans but also the sports betting market. With millions of Brazilians following the matches and looking to turn their predictions into potential winnings, experts warn about one essential precaution: knowing how to tell a regulated platform from an illegal operation.

Since fixed-odds betting was regulated in Brazil in January 2025, the sector has undergone a profound transformation. Today, companies authorized by the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA), an agency under the Ministry of Finance, must meet a series of technical, financial and compliance requirements to operate legally in the country. Despite the regulatory progress, the illegal market is still a significant challenge.

According to Leonardo Brodsky, iGaming Director at Trio, the problem is that many clandestine platforms keep attracting users without offering any guarantee of safety. “Today there are more than 190 properly regulated sites in Brazil, but the illegal market is still estimated at a financial volume similar to the regulated one, spread across thousands of different sites. These operations follow no rules, pay no taxes, have no adequate user-protection mechanisms and can even manipulate the payout percentage rules, using rigged games that run in a loop of losses,” he says.

How to spot a legal betting site

According to experts, a few clear signs help consumers tell whether a platform is authorized to operate in Brazil. The first is to check whether the site appears on the official list of operators authorized by the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting. Another important indicator is the web address itself. “All authorized operators are required to use the .bet.br domain. If the site uses a different extension, consumers should be suspicious immediately,” explains Brodsky.

Attorney Alberto Goldenstein, a sports law specialist and founding partner at GMP G&C Advogados Associados, stresses that the absence of the official domain is often one of the main signs of irregularity. “An illegal betting site leaves clear traces. Besides not appearing on the Ministry of Finance’s official list, it usually uses generic domains and has serious security flaws, such as allowing accounts to be opened without document verification,” he says.

Another important point concerns the sign-up process. On regulated platforms, facial recognition and document verification are mandatory. The goal is to prevent fraud, money laundering and access by minors. “Licensed companies must meet strict KYC (Know Your Customer) and anti-money laundering requirements. That includes identity verification, transaction monitoring and financial traceability,” explains Goldenstein. He warns that platforms that allow simplified sign-up, without document checks or biometrics, should be treated with caution.

It’s also important to look at the available payment methods. “In Brazil, regulated operators use authorized, traceable payment methods. If a platform offers deposits via cryptocurrency or untraceable mechanisms, that’s a strong sign of irregularity,” says Brodsky.

Experts also warn about aggressive promotional offers. Regulated companies currently face significant restrictions on bonuses and user-acquisition campaigns. That’s why promises of easy winnings, excessive bonuses or seemingly irresistible perks may indicate operators working outside Brazilian rules. “The illegal market doesn’t follow any responsible gambling practice. Many of these platforms use aggressive promotions precisely to attract users without offering minimum safety guarantees,” says Brodsky.

What if I win money from betting?

Beyond choosing the platform, bettors also need to pay attention to their tax obligations. According to Gustavo Portugal Heinze, a tax law attorney and founding partner at GMP G&C Advogados Associados, winnings from regulated sports betting are subject to taxation. “For income tax purposes, the tax applies to net gains, that is, the difference between the prizes received and the amounts wagered. On regulated platforms, the tax is already withheld at source,” he explains.

He also points out a detail that often raises questions. “The balance left in the platform wallet on December 31 is considered an asset and must be reported on the income tax return in the Assets and Rights section,” he says.

A safer market depends on consumer choice

For experts, regulation has brought important advances to the sector, creating user-protection mechanisms and increasing the transparency of operations. Recently, the Central Bank of Brazil also stepped up the fight against illegal operations by expanding its monitoring of suspicious transactions linked to clandestine betting. Even so, information remains the main protection. “When consumers choose a regulated platform, they benefit from government oversight, financial protection rules, responsible gambling mechanisms and formal customer service channels. Choosing the platform is the first step toward a safe experience,” Brodsky concludes.

With the World Cup approaching and interest in sports betting running high, experts recommend that Brazilians turn their excitement about the games into responsible entertainment, always checking that the chosen platform operates within the rules of the Brazilian market.

About Trio Grupo Financeiro

Founded in 2020 by Peterson Ferreira dos Santos and Manoel de Oliveira Souza, entrepreneurs with deep experience in technology and the financial market, Trio Grupo Financeiro was conceived to offer financial infrastructure capable of keeping pace with companies’ growth. Among its differentiators is a strong commitment to proprietary technology and advanced financial infrastructure. Trio develops solutions designed especially for the corporate environment, notably financial management tools, API integration, streamlined reconciliation systems and solutions built on Pix, Brazil’s instant payment system. For more information, visit www.trio.com.br or the official Instagram profile: @trio.fin.