Brazilian Attorney General’s Office Orders Meta to Remove Illegal Gambling Advertisements within 48 Hours

August 14, 2025
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Demand from Brazil’s Attorney General for Meta to Remove Gambling Ads

The Office of the Attorney General of the Union (AGU) in Brazil has sent a formal notice to Meta, the corporation behind Facebook and Instagram, instructing them to take down advertisements that promote unauthorized online gambling services within the country. These ads appear on profiles that violate Brazilian law by marketing betting activities without legal approval.

Legal Context for Online Betting in Brazil

Brazilian legislation, specifically Law No. 14,970/2023 along with SPA/MF Ordinance No. 1,207/2024, restricts fixed-odds betting to operators who have received prior authorization from the Ministry of Finance. Entities lacking this approval are operating illegally, making their promotional content unlawful as well. Typically, legitimate betting sites in Brazil use the “.bet.br” domain as a sign of compliance.

The AGU’s Enforcement Action and Meta’s Compliance Deadline

An examination of Meta’s advertisement database uncovered hundreds of ads that do not meet the necessary legal standards. As a result, the Attorney General’s Office has ordered Meta to eliminate these illegal ads within a strict 48-hour timeframe and to stop promoting any content from unauthorized betting companies. This is part of a broader effort to ensure adherence to Brazil’s regulatory framework governing online gambling.

Supreme Federal Court Ruling on Digital Platform Responsibility

The AGU also referenced a recent decision from Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court (STF). This ruling clarified that digital platforms are presumed responsible for illegal content in paid advertisements and boosted posts. Platforms must act swiftly and diligently to remove such content once identified, reinforcing the duty of care on companies like Meta.

Global Scrutiny of Meta’s Gambling Ad Policies

This directive from the Brazilian AGU aligns with a global wave of regulatory pressure on Meta regarding gambling advertisements. Previously, Meta altered its policies to better regulate gambling ads on Facebook and Instagram due to persistent criticism about inadequate oversight.

Incidents and Actions in Asia

Meta has faced similar regulatory challenges in Asia. Issues include missing a scheduled governmental inquiry in India related to money laundering investigations involving unauthorized gambling advertisements. In the Philippines, Meta took significant steps by removing Facebook pages of prominent influencers who promoted illegal online gambling, such as Sachzna Laparan, an influencer with over 4 million Instagram followers.

Regulatory Pressure Beyond Brazil and Asia

Other regions have also demanded stricter controls on Meta’s gambling advertisements. For example, Romanian authorities recently requested that Meta block illegal gambling ads on its platforms to protect users from potentially harmful content.