Brazil: Rio Police target illegal online casino
Investigators say the brand ran unlicensed casino products while funnelling funds through shell firms.
Key Points
- Civil Police allege the brand operated unlicensed online casino products
- Probe tracks roughly BR130m ($24m) moved via shell companies and proxy accounts
- Asset freezes total BR65m, investigators are examining organized-crime links
Brazil’s Civil Police have launched a major enforcement action against Palpite na Rede, an online operator accused of running illegal casino products and laundering approximately BR130m over several years.
The investigation is being led by the Organized Crime and Money Laundering Unit of the Rio de Janeiro Civil Police, which executed search warrants in Rio’s west zone and ordered bank freezes totalling BR65m tied to suspects.
According to case files, the operation centered on a marketing company that fronted the Palpite na Rede brand.
Investigators say the group promoted virtual casinos and other prohibited games without authorisation from the Federal Government’s Secretary of Prizes and Bets, while channeling proceeds through a network of small businesses with no demonstrable financial capacity.
Transfers allegedly moved between personal and corporate accounts to disguise origin and purpose, a pattern police describe as classic layering consistent with money laundering.
Authorities also flagged the role of influencer-driven acquisition: campaign posts reportedly pushed referral links with sign-up bonuses to accelerate user onboarding and scale deposits.
A former professional soccer player, Léo Moura, an ambassador for the brand, stated he had been hired strictly for advertising and denied any involvement in platform operations.
Good to know: Brazil’s Federal Police recently carried out Operation Narco Bet, another probe linking illegal gambling and money laundering
Beyond consumer harm, police say the case raises integrity and financial-crime concerns. The inquiry is examining potential ties to established contraband networks and whether funds intersected with other illicit markets.
The investigation continues with additional seizures and interviews expected as financial analysis advances.
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