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Discover what betting operators in Brazil must do to stay compliant with regulated payment methods — from approved electronic transfers to restrictions on credit cards and crypto.
Brazil’s new online betting rules are changing how players can deposit and withdraw money online. Because of this, operators cannot accept credit cards, cash or cryptocurrencies. By restricting deposits and withdrawals exclusively to bank-to-bank electronic transfers, regulators aim to create a fully traceable and closed payment loop. So, what are the acceptable betting payment methods exactly?
Key points:
- Brazil bans high-risk payment methods like credit cards, cash, and cryptocurrencies to protect players and reduce fraud.
- The SPA only permits electronic bank transfers through Central Bank-authorised institutions.
- Operators must use approved gateways such as Pix and TED to remain compliant.
The Use of Betting Payment Methods: Dos and Don’ts
To ensure traceable payment methods are in play, Brazil’s iGaming regulations ban the use of the following for gambling transactions:
- Credit cards
- Cash
- Cryptocurrencies
- Cheques
- Payment slips
Since electronic bank transfers are the only acceptable way for deposits and withdrawals, it means funds must move directly between players’ registered bank accounts and operators.
Accounts for both sides must be held with financial institutions authorised by the Central Bank of Brazil. This would create a closed payment loop, strengthening oversight and reducing risk.
In view of this, the regulator (the SPA) now restricts all transactions to bank-to-bank transfers. The intention is to reduce opportunities for fraud. The rules strengthen anti-money laundering safeguards and improve financial transparency by providing a clearer framework.
Why does the SPA ban credit cards in gambling?
Credit cards remain one of the most widely used payment methods worldwide. However, when it comes to gambling, this might no longer be the case.
Credit card gambling can lead to debt as it depends on funds that are not yet available in your wallet. Debt situations might even spiral into worse financial problems for vulnerable individuals.
Therefore, the government has banned credit cards as one of the betting payment methods to protect players from financial harm. The ban now serves as a defining measure within the new online betting framework in Brazil.
In the eyes of regulators, it is of paramount importance to build a sustainable and trustworthy iGaming market. Therefore, restricting high-risk payment methods is more than a compliance rule.
Approved Payment Systems for Gambling in Brazil
Since only electronic transfers via Central Bank-authorised institutions are permitted for deposits and withdrawals, the majority of gambling operators use Pix, Brazil’s instant payment service controlled by the Central Bank.
It handles 96% of transactions in the market, since it is exclusively supported by platforms for legal operations. It is also a tool for the Brazilian government to combat illegal gambling in the black market. The Central Bank has the power and systems to communicate directly with commercial banks and licensed payment providers.
Therefore, the government has the authority to halt Pix payments to operators not licensed by the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA). Because of this, betting transfers via Pix had increased by 200% in Brazil in 2024 alone.
How to Offer the Right Online Betting Payment Methods
As an operator, you are required to follow strict rules on permitted transaction types, set out in Normative Ordinance SPA/MF Nº615/2024.
Players must make payments for deposits, bets, and withdrawals exclusively through electronic transfers. The permitted methods include:
- Pix
- Transferência Eletrônica Disponível (TED)
- Debit cards or prepaid cards
- Transferencia nos próprios livros (book transfer)
All deposits and withdrawals must take place between a bettor’s registered bank account and the operator’s transactional account. In that case, it ensures every transfer runs through a regulated channel, creating a closed-loop system to strengthen oversight and reduce fraud.
Related resource:
- Learn how to meet licensing requirements and obtain a Brazil gambling licence.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the acceptable betting payment methods in Brazil?+–
The Brazilian government permits electronic bank transfers through institutions authorised by the Central Bank of Brazil, including Pix, TED, debit cards, prepaid cards and book transfers.
Who banned credit cards as a payment method for gambling?+–
The Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) published Normative Ordinance No. 615 in April, banning the use of credit cards.
How do Brazil’s new betting payment rules improve security?+–
The regulator aims to limit all deposits and withdrawals to direct bank transfers. They can then establish a closed payment loop that reinforces AML protections.
What is a closed payment loop?+–
By definition, a closed payment loop refers to a system where all gambling-related transactions are confined to a controlled network. In this context, the closed payment loop in Brazil is a regulated system where all betting transactions must move exclusively between a bettor’s registered bank account and the operator’s authorised account. This ensures traceability and detects fraud.
