How Gambling Regulation is Reshaping Poker in Brazil

Brazil’s Path to Regulated Gambling

Brazil’s journey to gambling regulation has been anything but straightforward. Back in 2018, lawmakers passed a bill that would allow sports betting and online gaming. But as the details were hashed out, iGaming — which includes online poker — was temporarily dropped from the framework. It wasn’t until Bill 3,626/2023 came along that iGaming made its way back into the conversation.

Now, with 2024 officially drawn to a close, things finally seem to be moving forward. As of now, fourteen companies have received full licenses, with a mix of local Brazilian operators and international names making the list. Unsurprisingly, most of these are sports-betting platforms, reflecting the law’s initial focus. Meanwhile, the 58 companies with provisional licenses are expected to get full approval within the next couple of months, expanding the range of regulated options for Brazilian players.

The Uncertain Status of Online Poker in Brazil

Poker in Brazil has always been a big deal, but it’s still in a bit of a limbo under the new regulations. PokerStars Brazil stands out as a provisional licensee, positioning itself as a poker-only operator in the country. Flutter Entertainment, PokerStars’ parent company, has already confirmed that PokerStars will focus solely on poker in Brazil starting mid-December, with all other gaming services shifting to the Betfair brand.

Other big players, like GGPoker and WSOP parent company NSUS, haven’t made much progress yet. Neither appears on the current lists of licensed operators, leaving questions about when (or if) they’ll join the Brazilian market. For now, PokerStars is in a unique position to lead the way, but the absence of other major brands creates uncertainty about how soon Brazil’s poker scene will fully embrace regulated play.

What This Means for Poker in Brazil

Brazil’s move to regulated gambling is a big step forward both on the national and international level. While sports betting is stealing the spotlight right now, the inclusion of iGaming—and potentially a thriving poker ecosystem — could change the game.