Esportes Gaming Brasil: .bet.br domain check isn’t enough to spot illegal sites

Esportes Gaming Brasil is urging Brazilian bettors to go beyond checking for a .bet.br domain when verifying whether an online betting site is legitimate. The operator issued the guidance on Monday 24th August to mark National Online Betting Day, warning that fraudulent sites can mimic licensed brands.

Since 1 January 2025, only companies authorised by Brazil’s Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) have been permitted to operate nationally, with licensed websites using the.bet.br domain. Esportes Gaming Brasil said the domain should be treated as a starting point rather than a guarantee, as illegal operators can imitate legitimate names, branding, advertising and social media profiles.

Carol Luna, Head of Compliance at Esportes Gaming Brasil Group, said: “.bet.br is the first filter, but security does not end with checking the domain. Consumers should look at the entire experience: who operates the brand, how their identity is verified, where payments can come from, which control tools are available and how customer support can be accessed.”

The group outlined seven checks for consumers: confirm the operator appears on the SPA’s official list; access platforms through verified channels rather than ads or search results; ensure appropriate identity verification takes place; review available payment methods; look for limits and self-exclusion tools; confirm clear customer support options; and avoid platforms promising guaranteed profits or loss recovery.

Esportes Gaming Brasil also pointed to identity verification as a key marker of regulated operators, saying authorised brands must confirm bettor information and use authentication measures including facial recognition with proof of life. Luna added: “Verification may initially be perceived as an additional step, but it serves a very practical purpose. It helps prevent underage access, the misuse of another person’s identity, fraud and transactions that are inconsistent with the account holder,” and stressed that regulated platforms should also provide ongoing player controls, including financial and time limits and self-exclusion, with payments moving only between the operator and a bank or payment account held in the bettor’s own name.