Betting platforms in Rio de Janeiro received good news when a federal court ruled on Aug. 12 that they can continue operating without a Rio de Janeiro State Lottery (Loterj) license. This decision came after a previous ruling that required Anatel, the National Telecommunications Agency, to block sites of operators without a Loterj license. The National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) appealed this decision, resulting in the suspension of the injunction. The federal judge emphasized the upcoming Dec. 31 deadline for license applications as the reason for halting the blocking order.
As the deadline for prioritized license applications approaches on Aug. 20, the total number of requests from operators has reached 18. Operators who submit their applications by the deadline will have them processed in time for the anticipated legal-market launch on Jan. 1, 2025. Recent applicants include Sportybet, EstrelaBet, Reals Bet, Betfair, 7games.bet, HiperBet, Novibet, and SeguroBet.
Flutter, a prominent player in the industry, aims to dominate Brazil’s legal market following a reported 11 percent growth in Brazil during the second quarter. The company’s brand Betfair is among those that applied for a license this week. Flutter CEO Peter Jackson expressed confidence in their position in the Brazilian market, stating their ambition to secure a top position.
In another development, Brazilian soccer team Flamengo has approved a deal with PixBet to operate the club’s new betting house. The agreement, which received overwhelming support from Flamengo’s board, is set to run until 2027. PixBet, the club’s master sponsor, will invest at least $15.1 million in Flamengo over the partnership’s duration, with the club entitled to 1 percent of each wager placed on the platform. By the end of the deal, PixBet will have invested a total of $99.3 million.
Pragmatic Play, a multi-channel provider, has expanded its presence in Latin America through a partnership with casino operator Betxico, enabling the launch of its online games in Mexico. This agreement follows previous deals made by Pragmatic Play to integrate its games into various platforms in the region, showcasing the provider’s commitment to long-term growth in Latin America.
