Meta Ordered to Block Illegal Gambling Sites in Brazil
The Attorney General's Office (AGU) of Brazil has formally notified Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to block and remove advertisements promoting online betting and gaming services that are not authorized to operate in the country. The notification, issued through the National Prosecutor's Office of the Union for the Defense of Democracy (PNDD), directs Meta to take action against profiles and campaigns that violate Brazilian gambling regulations.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:According to the AGU, Brazilian law requires that fixed-odds betting, including online games and betting platforms, operate only under prior authorization granted by the Ministry of Finance. This requirement is established in Law No. 14,970/2023 and reinforced by Ordinance SPA/MF No. 1,207/2024. Any company without such authorization is considered to be operating illegally, which also renders the promotion of its services unlawful.
Related: Meta and Google to Respond to Illegal Gambling Money Laundering Inquiry in IndiaThe AGU explained that authorized betting websites must typically use a domain ending in ".bet.br" as part of compliance measures. Activities carried out by unauthorized operators are classified as illegal and may be linked to tax evasion, money laundering, consumer rights violations, fraud, and other criminal practices. The dissemination of advertising for these operations is therefore also considered an illicit activity under Brazilian law.
Federal Law 14.970/2023 defines online gambling as an electronic channel that allows users to place virtual bets on games whose outcomes are determined by random future events. These results are generated by systems that use random numbers, symbols, figures, or objects in accordance with predefined rules. The legislation aims to regulate and monitor the sector to ensure transparency, consumer protection, and lawful economic activity.
The AGU reported that its analysis of Meta's public advertising library revealed hundreds of active campaigns from profiles that do not meet the legal requirements for operating in Brazil. These ads target Brazilian users despite the platforms involved lacking official authorization from the Ministry of Finance.
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The notification also references a recent ruling by the Federal Supreme Court (STF) concerning article 19 of the Civil Rights Framework for the Internet. The court determined that digital platforms can be held liable for illegal content when it relates to paid advertisements or boosted posts. Under this precedent, platforms must demonstrate that they acted with due diligence and within a reasonable timeframe to remove such content once it is identified.
In the notice sent to Meta, the AGU set a 48-hour deadline for the removal of illegal betting advertisements. The company has also been instructed to prevent any further promotion of unlicensed operators, ensuring that all gambling-related content on its platforms complies with the official list of authorized companies maintained by the Ministry of Finance and relevant regulatory agencies.
The AGU noted that while Meta has taken some steps toward compliance, including announcing an update to its terms of use for gambling-related advertising, these measures have not fully resolved the issue. The current verification process for advertisers is described as insufficient, with gaps that allow unlicensed operators to continue promoting their services on the platform.
The enforcement action is part of a broader effort by Brazilian authorities to regulate the rapidly expanding online betting market, ensuring that only licensed operators are able to advertise and provide services within the country. The AGU's move reflects an ongoing commitment to enforce gambling laws, protect consumers, and maintain oversight of digital advertising practices on major social media platforms.
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