Poker in Brazil: Conditions for Poker Players

The Legal Situation 

The legal situation surrounding poker in Brazil is not an easy one to describe and is always a topic of discussion. The rules were changed in 2024 but had no impact on Brazilian online poker sites. Let’s take a look at the gambling laws in Brazil. 

In 1946, Brazilian President Eurico Gaspar Dutra banned gambling throughout the country. This ban prohibited all forms of sports betting, casino games, lotteries, and bingo. However, over the years, certain aspects of the ban were replaced by new more contemporary laws. While non-commercial bingo was legalized in 1971, betting on horse racing became legal in 1984 with a national state lottery being created in 1996. Somewhat surprisingly, local land casinos are still banned to this day. 

Interestingly enough, since gambling was banned all the way back in 1946, the laws don’t necessarily apply to online gambling. As a result, Brazilians took an interest in online gambling, including poker.

Initially, the government showed little interest in the online industry. However, all this changed in 2023, when a push to regulate online gambling began. With the new laws, online gaming and sports betting became legal in Brazil, with a new licensing system taking shape. Operators wishing to remain active in Brazil had to have applied for and received a license by January 1st, 2025. 

On the other hand, online poker remains legal in Brazil because the latest changes to the law do not affect Brazilian poker sites. This is because poker was granted an exemption under the 1946 Gambling Ban, categorizing it as a game of skill and therefore not equating it with other types of gambling. 

Taxes and Poker in Brazil

There is no special tax for poker players in Brazil. However, players in Brazil are subject to tax if their total income from all sources exceeds 6,000 US dollars. Brazil currently has a progressive income tax system with rates between 8.5% and 27.5%. However, this can change at any time. 

It’s also worth noting that the new gambling laws in Brazil have introduced a 15% tax rate on casino and sports betting winnings over $574. However, online poker does not fall into this bracket. 

Popular Poker Sites in Brazil 

Below you’ll find some of the most popular poker sites in Brazil, where you’ll have the chance to test your poker skills against other players. With the status of online poker being what it is in Brazil, the selection is relatively large: 

CoinPoker

The CoinPoker platform is operated by Independent and is licensed in Curacao. In addition to Hold’em and Omaha, you can also play 5-Card Omaha here. The provider also excels in cash games and Sunday Majors. The number of players is also quite high with several thousand daily players. CoinPoker also scores highly in terms of payout speed. The company’s own app is very clear and quick to load. There is also the weekly 33% rakeback. Only cryptocurrencies are accepted as payment methods. 

Ignition

Ignition operates with a gambling license from Curacao and is managed by PaiWangLui Poker. Ignition is particularly impressive in terms of traffic, as there are many casino players here who are quite easy to beat. Furthermore, two million USD are guaranteed every week in prize pools. Otherwise, you will find more tables with smaller stakes than with larger stakes. Both the website and the mobile app are easy to use, so even beginners can find their way around straight away. Nevertheless, Ignition could do with a little more flair in its design. You can play with both fiat money and cryptocurrencies. Winnings are paid out within 24 hours.

ACR Poker

ACR Poker is presented by Winning Poker Network and is licensed in Costa Rica. The company is one of the best poker sites in Brazil and is known for its high number of different poker variants; in 2024, the company added several low-stakes MTTs to its offering. ACR also knows how to please when it comes to poker tournaments, with 20 million US dollars guaranteed every week, so there is hardly a better place to play online tournaments.

ACR is one of the largest poker networks in the world and attracts dozens of different players every day, so there’s always someone to play against. Our only negative point is that the servers are sometimes overloaded. Otherwise, we are happy with the various payment methods in both cryptocurrencies and fiat currencies, with payouts landing in your account within 2-3 working days. 

Black Chip Poker

The Black Chip Poker platform is operated by the Winning Poker Network and is licensed in Curacao. In addition to various Texas Hold’em, you will also find Omaha and Stud Hi/Lo tables. Besides weekly guarantees totaling 10.7 million US dollars and the 20 million Venom series, Black Chip also offers daily freerolls, which we are more than happy with. The volume is also good, with several thousand poker players dueling here every day. Black Chip’s software is secure, there are also some fun features, such as bomb pots and the option, and the servers are stable.

Black Chip Poker has positioned itself particularly well in the area of cryptocurrencies, as the platform accepts more than 50 different cryptocurrencies. These include ETH, BTC, and USDT. Black Chip released an app for mobile players a few years ago, which works on both iOS and Android. Another positive aspect is the VIP program for elite players, where high-rollers receive exclusive prizes and bonus money. Our only suggestions for improvement are in terms of design, where there is some room for growth. 

BetOnline

BetOnline is presented by the Chico company and is licensed by the Panama Gaming Commission. In addition to Caribbean Stud, BetOnline offers the most popular poker variants, including Omaha, Hold’em, 6+, and Pineapple. The provider also has a variety of MTTs, even if it can’t quite keep up with ACR. New players also receive various free tournament tickets, which is very nice! In terms of player volume,

BetOnline is one of the providers with the highest number of players alongside Ignition. This is certainly also due to the fact that many players from the casino and sports betting sectors come over to poker. The provider has been around for over 10 years and is impressive in terms of software, security, and server quality. You can play with both fiat currencies and cryptocurrencies, which is very positive. Overall, we were satisfied with our experience both on mobile and desktop. The only negative point is that the bonuses could be a little better. 

Once You Decided on a Provider, Proceed as Follows

1. Click on our registration link and register with your correct data. 
2. Now navigate to the wallet symbol to make a deposit with fiat currencies or cryptocurrencies. 
3. Now decide whether you want to play cash games or tournaments. 
4. Filters for games or buy-ins can help you with your search. 
5. Then open the table and tap on the cogwheel icon to adjust the settings. 
6. Set the blinds and have fun. 

How Do We Rate the Platforms

• Registration process: Before players can get started, they have to register. On most platforms, this process is uncomplicated and quick, as it should be. However, there are also providers where the registration process is cumbersome and time-consuming.
• Licensing: At the start of each test, we check which licensing authority has licensed the respective poker site. Licences from Malta, Costa Rica, or Curaçao are particularly trustworthy. We strongly advise against playing on platforms without a valid license.
• Bonus offers: Bonus promotions are a decisive advantage of online platforms over local casinos. We rate the poker sites according to their welcome bonuses and other offers. The differences are often significant: the provider CoinPoker, for example, offers a flat-rate rakeback of 33%, while many other platforms offer neither cashback nor rakeback programs. Be sure to pay attention to the associated bonus conditions.
• Available poker tables: The greater the range of tournaments and cashbacks, the better we rate the portal. 
• Number of players: The number of active players on a platform is an important factor. The more players using a platform, the more attractive it usually is, as there is often higher prize money. However, smaller providers can also offer advantages, as the chances of winning in tournaments are often higher due to the smaller number of participants.
• Payment methods: A wide range of payment options is essential. We check which payment providers are available and attach particular importance to fast deposits and withdrawals, including with cryptocurrencies.

A Look at the Most Popular Poker Players From Brazil

Poker is very popular in Brazil. We would like to take a closer look at the most popular and best poker players from Brazil. 

• Felipe “Mojave” Ramos: Felipe Ramos is a poker legend in Brazil, winning almost four million US dollars in live tournaments. He is known for his versatility, playing an abundance of poker variants. He is also a brand ambassador for GGPoker and an active streamer and pioneer of mixed games. Regular appearances at final tables on the World Poker Tour are among his greatest successes. He even took second place at the WSOP Online 2021 and won prize money totaling USD 476,612, his biggest prize money to date.

• Andre Akkari: Andre Akkari won his first WSOP bracelet in the $1,500 No-Limit Hold’em event in 2011. In his career, he has earned live prize money totaling USD 3,797,394 (as of December 2024). He also made a significant contribution to the poker boom in Brazil as a commentator. In his biggest triumph at the WSOP 2011, he earned his highest prize money to date with USD 675,117. In 2024, he could be found at the European Poker Tour Barcelona and, of course, at the World Series of Poker. 

• João Simão: João Simão is one of the best poker players in the world and has earned a total of around 7,300,000 US dollars live, with around 2.5 million US dollars coming from participation in the World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, plus 2 bracelets. He spent several weeks at number 1 in the global online poker rankings, with earnings of over 11 million US dollars

• Yuri “theNERDguy” Dzivielevski: Yuri Dzivielevski climbed to the top of the Brazil All-Time Money list in December 2024. He is considered an outstanding online player and regularly participates in the highest stakes on platforms such as PokerStars and GGPoker. His winnings in live tournaments amount to around 6.6 million US dollars. This year, he bagged his biggest win in the $3,000 Mixed Games: 9-Game Mix -7-Handed (Bracelet Event #53) when he took home $215,982, plus another bracelet. 

• Neymar: Brazilian football star Neymar Jr. is one of the best footballers in the world and a keen poker player. Neymar regularly takes part in tournaments and repeatedly emphasizes that poker means more to him than just a hobby. He frequently posts pictures and videos of his poker evenings on social media. He is also a long-standing brand ambassador for PokerStars. Even though he is only ranked 1,689th in the Brazil All-Time Money List, Neymar is an important figure in the Brazilian poker world. 

• Bruno Volkmann: Volkmann is characterized by a particularly analytical and precise style of play. He can regularly be found in the top rankings of the PockerFives online poker list and is currently ranked second on the Brazil All Time Money list, as well as being a multiple finalist in the GGPoker Super MILLION$. He earned his biggest live prize money on 7 August 2023 when he finished second in the $60,000 + 3,600 No Limit Hold’em – 8-Handed (Event #13) in London and won $1,080,000. A bracelet at the World Series has so far eluded him. 

• Vivian Saliba: Vivian Saliba is the best-known female poker player in Brazil and is a brand ambassador for 888poker and a role model for up-and-coming female players. She is best known for her strength in Pot-Limit Omaha and has delivered impressive results in several WSOP events. Her live earnings now stand at just over USD 1 million, and she recently even won her first bracelet at the WSOP Europe. Her biggest win to date is $308,888 at the 2019 WSOP when she finished fourth in the $888 No Limit Hold’Em – Crazy Eights (Event #64) and won $308,888.