Most Popular eSports Bookies in Brazil

The gambling industry in Brazil predates World War II, with most of the activities taking place in gaming houses and casinos. While football betting flourished throughout the country, it was still unorganized. In the postwar period, gambling was banned, apart from lottery and racing. Sports betting was officially declared a criminal misdemeanor in 1946. There has always been suspicion regarding sports betting in Brazil, since it has never set an example for others in terms of ethics in business. The 90s were a decade of slot machine boom in the country. A loophole in the law allowed the companies that supplied them to exist legally, i.e., they sponsored amateur sporting events and teams.

The Brazilian government had no idea that the Internet age was coming. In view of the widespread crime in the country, online sports betting was especially risky. While the state attempted to salvage the situation several times in the early 2000s, all prohibitions were rendered ineffective. Their first attempt was to ban all forms of online gambling, since it seemed to be the easiest thing to do. But this absurd attempt did not succeed, since monitoring the law's implementation was impossible.

Further attempts to ban offshore betting

Authorities decided in 2009 to create a system that would prevent gaming sites from entering the country. As with the previous ban, this law also failed. Taking inspiration from international practices, the government attempted to block transactions between bettors and overseas gaming companies in 2010. This move was to combat the online invasion of bookmakers. However, this did not yield results despite their efforts, which prompted Brazil's authorities to consider the next option.

In 2011, debit/credit card betting was prohibited, but this diminished the flow of remittances. Prohibitions alone clearly did not resolve the problem. Yet, in a nation with a high crime rate, there is also no way to throw away the controls over gambling.

The future legality of eSports betting looks bright. Several developments have taken place that could lead to changes in the existing Brazilian online gambling laws in the near future. Senate Bill No. 186 was introduced in 2014 to allow and regulate the private exploitation of games of chance, including online sports betting. In 2015, the officials hinted at making sports betting fully legal. They felt it is better to levy taxes on online eSports betting in Brazil than to watch revenue passing by. If the Bill succeeds, Brazil could be the first country to open up a regulated eSports betting market.

Brazil is poised to become one of the biggest eSports markets in the world, as new eSports technologies and advanced wagering platforms are launched every few months. All indicators suggest that football-related betting (PES and FIFA) will become more popular. With games like LoL and Call of Duty, teams and players will be able to compete for large cash prizes in tournaments and competitions.

As the eSports market grows, new markets are emerging, and high-stake events are likely to take over. Brazilian online eSports betting sites will not just offer gambling opportunities. They may also integrate more dynamic video calls and instant messaging features to enhance interactions. Esports will grow in revenue, and live streaming will become the norm.

The current gambling laws restrict eSports operators and not bettors. That means eSports punters place their wagers without worrying about being apprehended. A key point to note is that eSports betting is governed by existing gambling legislation. Despite the stringent rules, no eSports bettor has been punished to date.

For instance, the 1941 Law of Misdemeanors prohibits games of chance, whether in a public place or accessible to the citizens. This Act was enacted long before the internet exploded, so it is assumed to cover even cyberspace. Nevertheless, the ambiguity has contributed to some gray areas, making it easier for overseas eSports providers to penetrate the Brazilian market. The best eSports betting sites for Brazil are licensed by international jurisdictions.

Horse race betting is administered separately from other types of sports betting. The regulatory body for horse racing bets is the National Coordinator Commission of Horse Breeding, a branch of the agriculture ministry. Lotteries (controlled by SECAP) and fantasy/social gaming games are also legal, but the latter is unregulated. As far as sports betting goes, only fixed-odds bets are permitted online and offline.

Betting Acts in Brazil

• Misdemeanor Criminal Act of 1941: According to Decree No. 3688/1941, casino games including poker, blackjack, and slots are not allowed.
• Law No. 5768 of 1971: It allows non-profit forms of bingo to run. The rule was revised in 2020. According to Decree 14027/2020, the regulator of non-commercial bingo is the SECAP (Secretariat of Public Policy Evaluation, Planning, Energy, and Lottery).
• Law No. 13756 of 2018: The ministry of Economy introduced this law to legalize fixed-odd sports betting. Further regulation is expected in 2022.
• Criminal Contravention Act: Article 50 of law No. 13155/2015 stipulates that any citizen who indulges in illegal gambling could face a fine. Illegal players and affiliates are charged up to 200,000 BRL, whether they are caught gambling online or offline.

Recent developments have included the CFFC (Financial Inspection & Control Committee of the Chambers of Deputies) announcing in 2021 that it will host hearings with various government agencies to see the way forward as far as offshore gambling transactions are concerned. The regulation will help control fraud through unauthorized betting.

Esports betting sites in Brazil accept a variety of payment methods. Players can deposit money in Brazilian Real if the site is based in Brazil. This saves customers from the hassle of converting funds into internationally accepted currencies before wagering. Some of the best local banking methods are PicPay, Boleto Bancario Inovapay, AstroPay, UPayCard, and MuchBetter.

It doesn't mean the sites that require a currency conversion are not good options for eSports betting. They still accept secure payment methods like PayPal, Skrill, PaySafeCard, Visa, MasterCard, bank transfer, Neteller, and ecoPayz. Many eSports sites also accept crypto payments for punters who want to use Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, and other altcoins.

Since most banks in Brazil do not process gambling transactions, it is advisable to use unconventional methods like cryptocurrencies as they have no fuss at all. Prepaid cards and e-wallets are also safe and swift. Generally, Brazilian players cash out their winnings in the same method they used for deposits. But it is important to check what services are accepted for deposits and withdrawals before signing up.