IBJR Launches BetAlert to Help Bettors Identify Legal Platforms in Brazil

Brazilian players now have a faster way to check whether a betting site is legal. The Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR) has rolled out BetAlert, a free online tool that instantly verifies if a platform is authorized by the federal government.

Good to know

• BetAlert confirms if a betting site is licensed under the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting.
• Research shows up to half of betting in Brazil still happens on unregulated sites.
• Licensed operators must use a “.bet.br” domain and follow strict ID verification rules.

BetAlert is part of IBJR’s “goat in the room” campaign launched in September, aimed at making regulated platforms more visible to the public. Bettors simply type in a site’s web address and get an immediate answer. If the platform is licensed, the system confirms its approval. If it’s not, users see a clear warning.

The campaign extends far beyond the website. Television and radio ads, digital campaigns, and displays in airports are all being used to spread awareness about safe betting options in Brazil.

Survey Data Reveals Challenges

Behind the initiative is research carried out by the Locomotiva Institute with 2,000 adult bettors earlier in 2025. The findings, later analyzed by consultancy LCA, showed that between 41% and 51% of betting activity still occurs on unregulated platforms.

The study highlighted the confusion many players face. Nearly 8 in 10 respondents said it was difficult to tell legal and illegal sites apart, while 72% admitted they couldn’t always verify compliance. Worryingly, almost half of bettors had deposited money into platforms later exposed as fraudulent. More than 70% reported using at least one unlicensed site in 2025.

IBJR’s Message to Players

IBJR Executive President Fernando Vieira explained the goal of the initiative clearly:

“IBJR greatly values the use of tools and technologies that contribute to spreading knowledge about the sector. BetAlert is extremely important, and we hope it will be widely used by bettors and Brazilian society. Our goal is to ensure that people have access to all the benefits of regulation, the core of which is the safety of those who bet.”

What Licensed Operators Must Provide

IBJR also reminds bettors of the key requirements that licensed platforms must follow under Brazilian regulation. Legal operators must:

1. Use the “.bet.br” domain.
2. Apply facial recognition and document checks to block underage access.
3. Provide responsible gambling tools like spending limits, time caps, and self-exclusion.
4. Monitor high-risk behavior.
5. Only allow deposits through PIX or debit directly from a registered bank account (credit cards and cryptocurrencies are prohibited).

By setting these requirements, authorities hope to keep betting safer and more transparent for players, while cutting down on fraud tied to illegal operators.