The Federal District Prosecutor's Office (MPDFT) in Brazil has launched a civil investigation into potential abuses by the iGaming operator Blaze (Foggo Entertainment). As part of this inquiry, the prosecutor has requested advertising contracts involving football star Neymar and influencer Virginia Fonseca, according to CNN Brasil.
The investigation focuses on the marketing directives of Blaze, particularly the use of the phrase 'additional income' (renda extra) in their promotions. At this stage, neither Neymar nor Fonseca are considered subjects of the investigation.
The prosecutor has preliminarily identified possible unlawful retention of funds, arbitrary account blocking, predatory contractual terms, and disproportionate rollover requirements. Additionally, there are concerns regarding violations of responsible gaming policies, user data processing, and misleading advertising practices through influencers.
According to the complaint, Neymar and Fonseca are allegedly receiving payments from player losses, which is prohibited under Brazilian Finance Ministry regulations. The prosecutor estimates Blaze's Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) for 2025 to be $115 million, potentially leading to a collective moral damages claim of up to $23 million.
Blaze has stated that they were not officially notified of the procedure, while Virginia Fonseca's representative declined to comment. Neymar's team did not respond to inquiries.