Predictus survey shows legal disputes rising as Brazil’s online betting market expands
Brazil’s fast-growing online betting market is now generating a sharp rise in legal disputes, with more than 10,000 lawsuits involving betting operators filed since 2018.
A Predictus survey, carried out at the request of BBC News Brasil, identified 10,627 lawsuits involving online betting companies, known in Brazil as “bets”. The study used artificial intelligence and public court data to locate, organise and analyse legal cases across the country.
The figures show how disputes linked to the expansion of online betting are moving beyond social media complaints and into the courts.
Between January and May 2026 alone, 4,037 new cases were identified. In 2025, the first year in which Brazil’s regulated betting framework was fully in force, 5,488 lawsuits were filed.
The growth reflects the rapid expansion of betting platforms in Brazil, but also the legal challenges now emerging around withdrawals, blocked accounts, contract terms, fraud allegations, labour claims and responsible gambling.
Of the 10,627 cases identified, 44.1% were still ongoing at the time of the analysis. Another 38% had already received a decision, while 17.9% ended without a substantive review.
Among the 3,438 cases that were judged, bettors obtained total or partial victories in 59.2% of cases. Betting operators won 40.8% of the lawsuits decided. The survey also identified 607 settlements between the parties.
These figures do not mean that every claim has the same legal strength or outcome. Each case depends on the evidence, the contractual terms, the facts and the arguments presented. But the data helps show how Brazil’s judiciary is starting to deal with conflicts created by the online betting boom.
Withdrawal difficulties appear to be one of the main reasons for legal action against betting operators.
The Predictus survey identified 636 lawsuits involving account blocking, 629 related to unilateral changes in betting platform rules, 429 involving blocked or difficult money withdrawals, 541 concerning alleged unfair contract clauses, 518 linked to scams involving third parties via Pix, and 353 involving possible breach of contractual obligations.
In many cases, bettors claim they accumulated winnings but were unable to transfer the money out of their betting accounts. In other cases, platforms allege fraud, breach of rules or system failures.
According to Hendrik Eichler, CEO of Predictus, unilateral rule changes occur when an already defined condition is later modified. In practice, this often leads to the same result: the betting customer cannot withdraw money from the platform.
Gambling addiction is also beginning to appear more frequently in court disputes.
Cases mentioning gambling addiction rose from seven in 2024 to 27 in 2025, and then to 52 between January and May 2026. Lawsuits mentioning a possible breach of companies’ duty of care also increased, from 15 in 2024 to 243 between January and May 2026.
This issue becomes more sensitive during major sporting events, when public exposure to sports betting, promotional campaigns and betting incentives increases.
Not all lawsuits involve bettors. The survey also identified 1,185 labour court claims, representing 11.2% of the total. These cases cover issues such as compensation, overtime, recognition of employment relationships, notice periods, constructive dismissal, moral harassment and other labour matters.
That means the expansion of betting operators is also generating disputes in employment relationships and among outsourced companies serving the sector.
For Brazil’s regulated market, the legal data matters because it gives a broader view of risk. A surface-level search may show only consumer complaints, but court data can also reveal labour, commercial and contractual disputes.
The increase in lawsuits also shows how the courts can become an early indicator of economic and social change. Before an issue becomes widely visible, it may already be present in hundreds or thousands of claims.
For operators, the message is direct. Brazil’s legal environment is becoming more demanding. Account blocking, withdrawal rules, player verification, customer support, promotional terms and responsible gambling controls must be clear, consistent and well documented.
For regulators, the figures highlight the importance of enforcement after licensing. A regulated market cannot rely only on authorisations. It also needs consumer protection, complaint handling, responsible gambling standards and transparent contractual practices.
For players, the data shows that disputes with betting operators are increasingly being formalised through the courts. That may improve accountability, but it also shows the need for clearer rules and stronger dispute-resolution channels inside the regulated market.
The Predictus survey gives Brazil’s betting sector a warning signal. Market growth is real, but so are the legal risks that come with it.
