Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security has given Apple and Google five business days to provide additional information about how they prevent children and teenagers from accessing betting apps through the App Store and Google Play, as the government intensifies its oversight of online gambling platforms.
The latest notices follow an administrative proceeding launched in April, when Brazilian authorities questioned both companies over the availability of apps that allegedly promoted or facilitated access to betting services without proper safeguards. According to the Ministry, the companies’ initial responses did not fully address the government’s concerns, prompting a new round of questions.
The Ministry is seeking details on how Apple and Google verify that betting apps available in their stores are operated by companies authorized by Brazil’s Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA). Officials are also requesting information about the technical and operational measures used to prevent minors from downloading or accessing gambling-related apps.
In Apple’s case, authorities acknowledged that the company had responded cooperatively to the initial inquiry but said further clarification is needed. Among the questions are how Apple validates regulatory authorizations for betting apps, the technical criteria it uses to distinguish simulation apps from real-money betting apps—including situations where gambling functionality may be introduced or modified after approval—and the mechanisms it has implemented to restrict access by users under 18. The Ministry is also asking about Apple’s monitoring procedures, the average time it takes to remove non-compliant apps, and the timeline for rolling out corrective measures, including a previously announced software update intended to prevent minors from downloading age-restricted apps.
Google has received a similar request for additional information following a new review conducted by the Ministry in late June. According to the government, the review identified betting apps on Google Play that allegedly lacked effective age-verification measures, reinforcing concerns about the platform’s screening and monitoring processes. Officials are requesting details on how Google verifies licensed operators, prevents gambling apps from being recommended to minors, detects irregular content proactively, and responds when violations are identified.
The Ministry’s action is based on Brazil’s ECA Digital, the country’s updated framework for protecting children and adolescents in digital environments, as well as the Consumer Protection Code and legislation governing fixed-odds betting. Authorities argue that app store operators share responsibility for preventing minors from accessing unauthorized gambling content, regardless of the obligations placed on app developers.
The scrutiny comes as Brazil continues tightening oversight of its regulated betting market. Earlier this year, Apple introduced a requirement for betting apps distributed through the Brazilian App Store to hold a valid license issued by the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting before they can be made available to users.
Google has declined to comment on the ongoing administrative proceeding. However, the company said Google Play maintains policies governing real-money gambling apps and that developers must comply with those rules or face enforcement actions, including app removal, suspension, or account termination. Apple had not publicly responded to the latest request at the time of publication.
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