Brazil: Federal Court to investigate suspected money laundering by Esportes da Sorte
A judge transferred the case to Federal Justice after identifying signs of offshore laundering schemes.
Key Points
- State Judge found signs of tax evasion, illicit offshore transfers and financial crimes linked to betting companies
- Case now handled by Brazil’s Federal Police and Federal Prosecutor’s Office
- Esportes da Sorte and Vaidebet mentioned in court decision over suspicious foreign transactions
Operation Integration, a probe originally focused on the alleged use of online betting to launder money from jogo do bicho in the Brazilian state of Pernambuco, has been transferred to Brazil’s Federal Justice system.
Jogo do bicho is a popular lottery-style game in Brazil, which is currently illegal.
The decision came after Judge Andréa Calado da Cruz identified strong indications of crimes that exceed state jurisdiction, including transnational money laundering, foreign exchange evasion and financial misconduct with potential losses.
According to the ruling, state authorities uncovered signs of offshore structures allegedly designed to conceal illicit assets.
In her statement, the judge pointed to specific companies and individuals, including HSF Gaming, the operator of the Esportes da Sorte betting brand and sponsor of Corinthians Football Club.
It also mentions José André da Rocha Neto, the businessman behind the previous Corinthians’ sponsor, Vaidebet.
She said the investigation revealed €485m ($559m) linked to gambling activities had been moved through the Isle of Man using corporate structures like Luxembourg-based Alpharise Investments.
Good to know: Esportes da Sorte recently hosted an integrity event in Brazil in partnership with two football clubs
A previous order from Pernambuco’s state court had already frozen £6.3m ($8.4m) held in an account associated with Esportes da Sorte on the Isle of Man.
Esportes da Sorte responded by claiming the transfer to Federal Justice was “an act of desperation” and reaffirmed its confidence in the legal system, insisting the investigation lacked impartiality and should be annulled.
The company criticised Judge Calado’s conduct and reiterated that it expects the probe to be dismissed. Corinthians is yet to comment on the ruling.
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