Regulatory authorities from Brazil, Argentina, and the United States have expressed concerns that illegal online gambling is surpassing national enforcement capabilities. They emphasized the need for enhanced collaboration among governments, regulatory bodies, technology providers, and payment services.
This discussion took place during Legitimuz Day 2026 in São Paulo, specifically in the panel titled “International Best Practices in Betting Regulation: what can we learn and teach?”
The panel included notable figures such as Fábio Macorin, Deputy Secretary of Brazil’s Ministry of Finance; Brian Krolicki, Vice President of the International Association of Gaming Regulators; Ezequiel Dominguez, Director of the Buenos Aires City Lottery; and Giovanni Rocco, National Secretary of Sports Betting at Brazil’s Ministry of Sport. The session was moderated by Fred Justo, who previously worked at the Prizes and Betting Secretariat.
Participants noted that various jurisdictions are grappling with similar challenges, as illegal operators take advantage of inconsistencies in national regulations, digital platforms, and financial systems. Krolicki pointed out that while Nevada’s 70-year regulatory experience offers valuable insights, it cannot be directly applied to other regions.
“What is effective in Nevada may not suit other jurisdictions. However, the core principles—integrity, oversight, regulatory independence, and transparent collaboration—are universally applicable,” Krolicki remarked, as reported by BNL Data.
He further elaborated that online betting presents unique challenges compared to traditional gaming, as digital platforms lack defined borders. “Criminals move swiftly, while regulators must operate within legal frameworks, which can be a slower process. Hence, international cooperation is crucial,” he added.
Dominguez highlighted that Argentina’s provincial regulatory approach has also faced challenges due to online gambling. Each province establishes its own regulations, a scenario he likened to “24 countries in one.” While this may work for physical gaming, he noted that online betting often transcends territorial limits. Argentina estimates that approximately 80% of bets are placed outside regulated environments.
In response, Buenos Aires has established a Specialized Gambling Prosecutor's Office, imposing prison sentences of three to six years for illegal operators. Their enforcement strategy includes blocking unauthorized platforms, conducting awareness campaigns in schools and communities, and targeting affiliates, ATMs, and influencers promoting illegal gambling.
Brazil, on the other hand, implemented federal betting regulations in January 2025 after a prolonged period of unregulated activity. Macorin acknowledged that the delay allowed for the proliferation of fraud and misleading advertising. “The absence of regulation enabled harmful actors to thrive, causing significant damage to consumers and the industry,” he stated.
With about 80 personnel in the Prizes and Betting Secretariat, compared to Nevada’s 400 gaming regulation experts, Brazil is focusing on building institutional partnerships.
These partnerships involve entities like Anatelfor blocking illegal websites, the Ministry of Health for self-assessment initiatives, ANJL for a virtual lab to identify illegal platforms, CONAR for advertising self-regulation, and the Digital Council for notifications to major platforms like Meta, Google, and TikTok. Additionally, Brazil has established SINAPO with 16 states to unify regulations.
Rocco mentioned that Brazil is leveraging Pix as a tool for enforcement, given that most bets are made through this instant payment system. “Over 95% of bets in Brazil are conducted via Pix, enabling capital tracking that is not possible with credit card transactions,” he explained.
The panelists unanimously agreed that tackling illegal online betting cannot be confined to national borders. “The server might be located in one country, the company in another, often without an extradition agreement. Collaboration among regulators is the only viable solution,” Dominguez concluded.