Google Play reopens for betting apps and games in Brazil

The initiative aims to reshape digital gaming access and push out illegal platforms.

Google has announced a policy shift allowing betting and casino apps to be listed on the Play Store in Brazil. The update means platforms such as the popular “Fortune Tiger,” known locally as “Jogo do Tigrinho,” will now be available on Android devices through official channels.

Only lottery and horse racing apps from Brazil’s Federal Bank, Caixa Econômica Federal, were allowed on the Play Store. Betting operators were forced to rely on browser navigation or third-party distribution, limiting user safety and app visibility.

More than 200 operators have already been authorized by the Ministry of Finance’s Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) to operate in the country, with each allowed up to three domains. Now, those same operators will be able to provide app access directly through Google’s storefront as long as they meet the criteria.

To be listed, apps must link to a valid SPA license and include a functional link from the company’s official domain to the app page. This aims to prevent fraud and reinforce user protection. Google’s new policy mirrors similar rules used to combat black-market access in other countries.

Good to know: The Brazilian Senate is reviewing 17 new bills aimed at tightening online betting regulations

It was also announced that gambling-related ads will now be accepted in Brazil via Google Ads, including both search engine results and in-app placements, again, only for licensed operators.

While controversial titles like Tigrinho remain under scrutiny, advocates argue that channeling traffic through regulated platforms enhances oversight, promotes responsible gaming and undercuts the appeal of illegal operators.

Carlos Mendez

Writer

For Carlos Mendez, betting markets are best understood as conversations between numbers and behavior. His work focuses on interpreting what odds reveal about risk, pricing, and public sentiment rather than chasing short-term outcomes. Growing up in Buenos Aires, Carlos was immersed early in football culture...

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