The Federal Police of Brazil executed Operation Slots on Wednesday, targeting unlicensed online betting platforms across six states. Authorities froze assets and funds valued at BRL951.1 million ($190.22 million) while seizing luxury vehicles and a high-end property.
Investigation Findings and Corporate Structure
Working with technical support from the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA), investigators focused on a network suspected of laundering drug trafficking revenue through underground wagering sites. Court orders from the 2nd Criminal Court of Vitória enabled the execution of fourteen search and seizure warrants alongside two temporary arrest warrants. The warrants were carried out in Espírito Santo, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Paraná, Paraíba, and Sergipe.The Federal Police investigation revealed that suspects employed digital influencers to market unauthorized betting services. Revenue generated by these platforms was transferred through shell companies designed to obscure financial trails. Investigators noted that the accumulated wealth of those under scrutiny significantly exceeded their officially declared income.
Linked corporate operations have been suspended, and the individuals involved are barred from advertising irregular wagering platforms.
Several illicit platforms displayed counterfeit references to the SPA, the Betting Management System (Sigap), and the National Advertising Self-Regulation Council (Conar) to project false legitimacy. Deposits from users were directed to entities without proper authorization. This marks the third anti-betting enforcement action in July, aligning with the "zero tolerance" policy promoted by Ministry of Finance official Dario Durigan.
Suspects in the case may face prosecution for operating games of chance, money laundering, criminal organisation, drug trafficking, and conspiracy to traffic drugs.