Police uncover illegal bingo hall operating in São Paulo
Authorities found 57 slot machines and several people inside the venue.
Police in São Paulo have dismantled another illegal gambling venue, this time in the Perdizes district on the city’s west side.
The operation uncovered a clandestine bingo hall where 57 slot machines and several people were found participating in games, according to the São Paulo State Department of Public Safety.
Officers were initially called to the address after reports of a possible robbery with hostages. Upon arrival, police found no evidence of a crime in progress, only a fully functioning bingo operation behind a façade marked “for rent.”
Among those detained were a 60-year-old man who identified himself as a waiter and a 46-year-old woman who said she worked as a cleaner.
The case adds to a growing list of recent crackdowns on unlicensed gaming operations across the state. Earlier this month, authorities in Campinas uncovered another illegal bingo hall with more than 30 slot-style machines and 20 players in attendance.
Despite previous closures, similar establishments have resumed activity shortly after being shut down, prompting concerns about the persistence of underground illegal gambling networks in the country.
Under Brazilian law, bingo and slot-style games remain prohibited, though enforcement varies across regions.
Lawmakers in Brasília are currently revisiting proposals to legalize and regulate land-based gaming in national territory, including casinos, bingos and jogo do bicho, a Brazilian lottery-style game, as part of a wider debate on the sector’s economic and social implications.
The São Paulo case has been forwarded to a Police District and all equipment was seized for forensic analysis.
Tags/Keywords
Players trust our reporting due to our commitment to unbiased and professional evaluations of the iGaming sector. We track hundreds of platforms and industry updates daily to ensure our news feed and leaderboards reflect the most recent market shifts. With nearly two decades of experience within iGaming, our team provides a wealth of expert knowledge. This long-standing expertise enables us to deliver thorough, reliable news and guidance to our readers.
Latest News
