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New Government Rule Will Prevent Bolsa Família and BPC Beneficiaries from Opening Accounts or Making Deposits on Online Betting Platforms.
The federal government has decided to impose restrictions on the use of social benefits in online betting. This measure is in response to a determination from the Supreme Federal Court (STF), which demanded concrete actions to prevent the misdirection of funds from Bolsa Família and the Continued Provision Benefit (BPC) to so-called “bets”.
According to the secretary of Awards and Betting at the Ministry of Finance, Regis Dudena, the blockade will come into effect by the end of 2025.
New Rules for Accounts on Betting Sites
Two barriers will be applied. First, beneficiaries of Bolsa Família and BPC will not be able to open new accounts on betting platforms.
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Then, those who already have registered accounts will not be able to make new deposits to play.
The government emphasizes that the goal is to prevent resources intended for low-income families or people with disabilities from being used inappropriately.
In August, Bolsa Família served about 19.2 million families, corresponding to more than 50 million people. Meanwhile, the BPC recorded 3.75 million beneficiaries in July.
Will Bolsa Família Beneficiaries Lose the Benefit of Online Betting?
The new rule from the federal government has another focus: to prevent the money from the program from being used for betting.
How the Block Works
- Beneficiaries will not be able to open new accounts on betting sites.
- Those who already have an account will not be able to make new deposits.
In other words, the block is on the deposit of funds into “bets,” not on receiving the benefit.
What Remains the Same
- The payment of Bolsa Família continues normally.
- The amounts continue to be credited to the beneficiary’s account.
- The use of money for other expenses (such as food, electricity bills, gas) remains free.
The Purpose of the Rule
The government is fulfilling a determination from the STF, which demanded measures to prevent resources from social programs, such as Bolsa Família and BPC, from being directed to online betting.
Therefore, those receiving the benefit will not lose their right to Bolsa Família for betting. What changes is that it will not be possible to use the amount received to make new deposits on betting platforms.
Centralized Registration and Mandatory Consultations
According to Dudena, the operation of the block will be supported by a computerized system from the Data Processing Service (Serpro). All 80 legally authorized sports betting houses in the country will have to consult this system whenever a new user registers or makes a deposit.
The secretary explained that the sites will not have direct access to the beneficiaries’ data. The process will be done through an API, which will only confirm whether the person can or cannot move resources.
The expectation is that the system will be activated in September, with a 30-day adaptation period. The government intends for the platform to be fully operational by the end of the year.
Who Has the Right to Social Benefits
The BPC guarantees a minimum wage monthly for elderly people or those with disabilities in low-income conditions.
Among the requirements are: being 65 years or older or having some disability, proving an income of up to a quarter of the minimum wage per person, and being registered in the Single Registry.
The Bolsa Família program is aimed at families with a monthly income per person of up to R$ 218. The minimum amount paid is R$ 600 per family unit, with additional payments of R$ 150 for children up to six years old, and R$ 50 for pregnant women, youth aged 7 to 18 years, and babies up to six months old.
The Size of Bets in Brazil
The Central Bank had estimated that online betting transactions in the country ranged between R$ 20 billion and R$ 30 billion per month. However, Dudena clarified that this number includes all influx and outflux of funds, and not the actual expenditure of bettors.
According to him, the average return rate to players is 93%. This means that, for every R$ 100 wagered, R$ 93 return to the accounts, often being reinvested. Therefore, the actual amount spent is lower.
The Ministry of Finance estimates that the actual monthly spending is R$ 2.9 billion, which resulted in R$ 17.4 billion in the first half of 2025. On an annual basis, the amount is expected to reach R$ 36 billion.
Profile of Bettors
According to data from the Ministry of Finance, 17.7 million Brazilians placed bets online in the first half of the year. The average expenditure per active bettor was R$ 164 monthly.
This number represents about 12% of the adult population, a percentage close to that recorded in other countries.
Dudena emphasized that the government is now looking to detail how this spending is distributed. He stated that it will be important to understand if there are many bettors with low amounts and few with high expenditures.
Impact of the Measures
The announced changes aim primarily to preserve the resources destined for families in vulnerable situations. The government believes that the new rules will ensure that the amounts from social programs fulfill their function of basic support, without the risk of diversion to gambling.
Moreover, the measure marks the beginning of more detailed monitoring of the behavior of bettors in Brazil. The government intends to use the collected data to define more accurate policies in the sector.
Expectation for the Next Months
The blocking system, still in the implementation phase, is expected to be tested in September. After the adaptation period, it will be fully required from betting houses by December.
With this decision, the government hopes to meet the STF’s requirement while also establishing a new standard of control over the online betting market in the country.
The next steps should involve the consolidation of the system and the analysis of the collected data to create a clearer profile of Brazilian players.
This measure, according to Dudena, marks the beginning of a new phase of regulation of betting, focusing not only on revenue but also on social protection.
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