Share This Article
Brazil’s new gambling licensing regime, the rise of responsible gambling obligations, and a surge in player litigation in the UK are reshaping the global regulatory landscape for betting operators.
In the latest episode of DLA Piper’s Gambling Laws of the World podcast, Giulio Coraggio from DLA Piper sat down with Benjamin Fellows (Legal Director, UK) and Diego Paes de Barros (Associate, Brazil) to explore how companies can successfully navigate authorization requirements in Brazil, mitigate legal exposure in the UK, and build litigation preparedness into their global compliance strategies.
We tackled some of the most pressing questions that operators are asking right now, especially in light of Brazil’s new gambling licensing regime, the surge in litigation in the UK, and the urgent need for responsible gambling strategies across jurisdictions.
👉 Listen to the full episode HERE
Brazil: A Promising Market—But Not Without Legal Complexity
As Diego explains, Brazil’s new licensing framework for betting operators, introduced under Law No. 14,790/23 and SPA/MF Ordinance No. 827/24, marks a pivotal moment for the sector. But don’t be fooled—obtaining a license is just the beginning.
So what are the key hurdles? From proving financial and technical capability to complying with anti-money laundering protocols and local ownership structures, operators face a dense web of obligations. The pace is relentless: regulatory packages are being released quarterly, and companies already authorized must remain nimble and fully aligned with the evolving rulebook.
Responsible Gambling in Brazil: A Compliance Priority
One of the standout points in the discussion is the 2025–2026 regulatory agenda in Brazil, which puts responsible gambling front and center. The expectation is clear: operators must implement proactive measures, such as self-exclusion tools, addiction risk monitoring, and awareness campaigns.
UK Spotlight: The Rise of Serial Litigation in Gambling
Across the Atlantic, Ben offers sobering insights on how mass litigation is quietly reshaping the UK’s gambling sector. While the UK doesn’t formally allow class actions à la U.S., group claims are becoming the norm—particularly around alleged breaches of duty of care and failures in responsible gambling protections.
So, what’s driving this trend? The convergence of consumer rights advocacy, litigation funders, and data-driven legal strategies is creating fertile ground for these claims.
How Can Operators Defend Themselves?
Ben’s advice is clear: litigation preparedness is a competitive advantage. It’s no longer enough to have policies that look good on paper. Operators must build real-time defensibility into their systems—using data, internal governance, and proactive compliance to detect risks before they escalate.
Global Lessons: Compliance as a Living Practice
A recurring theme throughout the episode is this: in high-growth markets like Brazil, and in mature, litigious ones like the UK, compliance can’t be static. Whether it’s adapting to new quarterly rules in Brazil or anticipating litigation trends in the UK, operators must embed compliance agility into their business model.
And that’s where our cross-border team comes in. With local depth and global reach, we support clients not just in surviving these changes—but in turning them into strategic advantages.
On a similar topic, you can access DLA Piper’s Gambling Laws of the World guide HERE and other articles on gambling law matters HERE.