SPA-MF postpones blocking of Bolsa Família and BPC beneficiaries from betting sites for 30 days.
The Prizes and Betting Secretariat (SPA) of the Ministry of Finance (MF) extended the deadline for betting operators to implement systems that prevent the registration of beneficiaries of the Bolsa Família Program and the Continuous Benefit Payment (BPC). The decision was published this Thursday (30) in the Official Gazette of the Union, extending the period for companies to adapt by 30 days.
With the new measure, operators, who were supposed to start blocking new registrations from next Saturday (1st), have gained an additional month to adapt to the regulatory requirements.
Details of the extension
The extension of the deadline was formalized through Normative Instruction ( SPA/MF No. 24/2025 ) signed by the Secretary of Prizes and Bets, Regis Anderson Dudena. The document specifically amends article 15 of Normative Instruction SPA/MF No. 22, published on September 30, 2025. The additional deadline will be counted from the end of the originally established period.
This measure represents an extension of the adaptation period for companies in the sector to implement the control mechanisms required by Brazilian betting regulations.
Impact on social programs
According to the National Household Sample Survey (PNAD) released in May, 9,4% of the population, equivalent to 20,1 million people, received social benefits such as Bolsa Família and the Continuous Benefit Payment (BPC) in 2024. Betting companies estimate that beneficiaries of these programs represent up to 30% of the total base of bettors in the country and, in some cases, account for 15% of the companies' gross revenue.
The blocking will be done by the betting sites themselves, through the government platform. The system informs whether the user is prevented from betting due to a court decision or because they are a beneficiary of a social program.
Implementation procedures
Normative Instruction No. 22 establishes that queries to the Betting Management System (SIGAP) must occur at two points: upon registration and during the user's first daily login. Verification will be done using the CPF number (Brazilian taxpayer ID), which will be compared with the database of beneficiaries of social programs.
When the system returns the message “Blocked – Social Program”, the company must immediately deny the registration request. For already registered users, the operator will have three days to close the account after identifying the block.
Before closing the account, the operator must inform the user of the reason within one day, via email, messaging app, or SMS. The communication must inform the user about the possibility of voluntarily withdrawing any existing funds from the account within two days.
Concerns of the sector
Although the sector has undergone training to adapt to the use of the system, it says it is concerned about the protection of sensitive data and the risk of users migrating to the illegal market. The National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) even commissioned a survey, according to which 45% of beneficiaries of social programs said they would continue betting, even with the block, migrating to unauthorized platforms.
According to ANJL, the government's ban on beneficiaries of social programs exacerbates the problem. The sector argues that the most effective approach would be to invest in education and responsible gaming tools, not in automatic bans.
This measure complies with precautionary decisions granted by the Supreme Federal Court in Direct Actions of Unconstitutionality No. 7721 and No. 7723, in addition to considerations made by the Federal Court of Accounts in Process TC 023.126/2024-8.
