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Brazil betting regulation is facing a leadership change as the official who built the licensed market prepares to move into a new finance role.
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Regis Dudena is stepping down as head of the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets in Brazil, with the move confirmed Thursday after days of speculation. Dudena will remain within government, taking on leadership of the Secretariat of Economic Reforms under the Ministry of Finance.
Dudena took charge of the SPA in April 2024 and led the creation of Brazil first national betting framework. That work culminated in the launch of the regulated betting market at the start of 2025, ending a long period where most operators functioned in a grey market.
Speaking at the Bet On – Brasil event, Dudena said confidence remained high in the regulator future direction following his departure:
“I leave with the conviction that the Secretariat will continue to fulfil its role and strengthen itself, provided that the agents in the sector understand the public responsibility involved in providing this service.”
Dudena pointed to heavy groundwork completed before the market launch, noting that regulation did not begin with the calendar year:
“The year for the regulated market did not begin on 1 January 2025. There was intense work in 2024 to create the entire regulatory framework for the sector and structure the authorisation process for operators.”
Under his leadership, the SPA reviewed more than 300 licence applications within set deadlines. Dudena also highlighted closer cooperation with public bodies such as the ministries of health and justice and the National Telecommunications Agency. That joint effort led to around 25,000 illegal betting sites being taken offline during 2025.
He also cautioned that enforcement work remains ongoing:
“The first challenge is to ensure that everyone understands that the rules must be followed. Those who do not comply will be audited.”
Looking ahead, Dudena said Brazil should target channelisation of 60 percent to 70 percent, aligning the market with other mature regulated jurisdictions.
Attention has already turned to succession. Industry sources indicate Fabio Macorin, current undersecretary for monitoring and inspection at the SPA, is a leading candidate to step into the top role. Macorin recently represented the regulator at ICE Barcelona.