Is a .bet.br website still automatically legal?
No. The suffix .bet.br appeared associated with the previous Brazilian betting authorization regime. The September 2026 regulatory change requires reassessing the current legal status, not just the history of the domain. A page may continue to exist on the internet, remain archived in search engines or display a known logo without being authorized to capture new bets in Brazil.
The Ministry of Finance states that MP 1.394/2026 prohibited the exploration, offering, intermediation and advertising of fixed-odd bets nationwide. This rule takes precedence over the commercial appearance of a website.
What does it mean if a website has been blocked?
The Ministry of Justice reported, in October 2026, that more than 20 thousand pages linked to illegal betting or its advertising were identified and sent for blocking by public bodies. “Referred for blocking” does not necessarily mean that each page is inaccessible on all networks or that a court decision has been made individually for each domain. Likewise, if a page still opens, that is not proof of legality.
Does the ban also apply to advertising?
Yes, within the scope of the MP and official guidelines on fixed odds betting. The prohibition is not limited to the “bet” button: advertising, intermediation and offers may be relevant, including in affiliate materials. Therefore, an informative portal needs to separate news and consumer guidance from banners, comparisons with registration intent and links that facilitate prohibited bets for users in Brazil.
What if a website is hosted outside Brazil?
The Treasury clarified that the prohibition also applies to offers by agents based abroad to people located in Brazilian territory. Foreign headquarters, charging in another currency or a license obtained in another country do not constitute Brazilian authorization. Changing DNS, using VPN or looking for mirror domains also does not change the underlying legal issue.
How to check a suspicious address
Check company identity, official support channels, domain history, closure announcements, and public alerts. Be wary of pages that require a fee to “release” an old withdrawal, ask for new bets as a refund requirement, request an authentication code or reproduce the brand of a well-known bet with small differences in the address.
Instead of relying on a list of “sites that still work”, analyze the current regulations and the purpose of the page. An informative support page may have a different function than an interface for accepting new bets.
What about press content about the sector?
Reporting official decisions, explaining refunds and documenting regulatory developments is different from inducing the contracting of a prohibited service. This does not eliminate the need for legal review for advertising and promotion: context, links, audience and business purpose matter. BetVerity must not show offers or registration calls for this market while the relevant prohibition persists.
Frequently asked questions
If the site is accessible, is betting allowed? Technical availability does not prove legal authorization.
Is a foreign license sufficient to operate in Brazil? It does not replace the authorization or legal framework required in Brazil.
How to recover balance from a closed website? Consult the official refund schedule and document the pending issue; do not use unverified rescue intermediaries.
Can the brand return in the future? It depends on subsequent legislative and administrative acts; there is no automatic return proven just by the domain.
Editorial update: 10/27/2026. Informative content without betting promotion.
Official sources:
https://www.gov.br/mj/pt-br/assuntos/noticias-1/mais-de-20-mil-sites-ilegais-de-apostas-e-de-publicidade-sao-encaminhados-para-bloqueio
https://www.gov.br/fazenda/pt-br/composicao/orgaos/secretaria-de-premios-e-apostas/medida-provisoria-ndeg-1-394-2026-entenda-as-novas-regras-para-as-apostas-de-quota-fixa