A May 2026 study by LCA Consultores reports that unlicensed operators captured between 38% and 44% of Brazil's online betting market during the first half of the year. This represents a decline from the 41% to 51% share recorded in the same period last year.
Survey Data and Platform Usage
The research surveyed 2,291 players to assess platform usage and transaction methods. Over half of respondents, accounting for 51%, relied exclusively on unlicensed platforms, while 36% directed the majority of their wagering activity to these sites. Verification and domain standards also show a gap, with 53% of players betting on platforms that do not require KYC checks and 48% using sites outside the mandatory .bet.br domain reserved for licensed entities.
Payment method preferences demonstrate the divide between regulated and unregulated sectors. Bank card deposits accounted for 37% of transactions, and cryptocurrency usage reached 23%, both of which remain prohibited under current Brazilian market rules.
For reference, regulatory frameworks were first introduced in Brazil in January 2025, preceding the current market shift.
Source: LCA Consultores.