Google and Apple are notified about illegal gambling apps accessible to minors.
The Ministry of Justice and Public Security notified Google and Apple this Friday (April 17th) to provide clarifications regarding unauthorized gambling apps available in their digital stores. The apps can be downloaded by children and teenagers. The companies have five business days to respond.
Brazil's National Secretariat for Digital Rights (Sedigi) and the National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon) have identified, through routine monitoring, several apps that offer or facilitate access to illegal gambling without federal authorization. According to information from Folha de S.Paulo, the permission granted by Google and Apple for illegal gambling apps to remain available on their platforms has generated growing concern among regulatory authorities. The apps lack effective age restrictions.
According to the government, the apps remain available for download on accounts belonging to minors under 18 years of age, both on the App Store and the Play Store . This situation contradicts the Digital ECA, legislation sanctioned a month ago.
The decree regulating the Digital ECA establishes that "internet application stores and operating systems must prevent the availability of products or services that promote, offer, or enable access to lotteries of any kind, including fixed-odds betting, not authorized by the competent authorities."
The government has identified that some of this content can be located through simple searches. Terms like "Tiger Game" return widely used betting apps.
The Ministry of Justice attached to the official documents images showing dozens of casino games, slot machines, and platforms that promise cash winnings. Many of these apps have attractive aesthetics and language, similar to regular video games.
The Ministry of Finance maintains a public list of authorized betting operators. According to the document, verifying their compliance is "of low operational complexity."
Companies must detail their internal policies for publishing applications. They need to disclose the pre-review mechanisms and age verification methods they use.
Google and Apple will also have to submit a complete list of betting apps available in Brazil. The list should indicate the developer, age rating, and any regulatory authorization.
The notifications are initial in nature. The ministry states that the absence of a response or proof of irregularities may lead to the opening of specific procedures. Companies may be held accountable within the supply chain.
Google has announced that it recently briefed developers on the new requirements of the ECA Digital (Brazilian Digital Statute for Children and Adolescents). The company explained that the age rating displayed on Google Play is the responsibility of the developer.
The rating is generated by the International Rating Coalition (IARC). This body reflects the criteria of the Brazilian Ministry of Justice based on a self-reported questionnaire completed when submitting the game.
"If it is determined that a developer provided inaccurate answers in the questionnaire to circumvent the rating process or violated Google Play policies , the app will be subject to corrective measures, including removal or suspension from the store," the company stated.
Apple did not respond to requests for comment from the reporter through its official channels on Friday afternoon.
In preliminary assessments by government agencies, making these apps available could violate legislation protecting children and adolescents online. It could also infringe the Consumer Protection Code.
