TITLE: Brazil's National Monetary Council Approves Account Blocking for Illegal Betting Operators
BODY:
On June 25, 2026, Brazil's National Monetary Council (CMN) approved Resolution No. 5320, which mandates financial institutions and payment institutions operating within the Brazilian Payment System to block accounts associated with unauthorised fixed-odds betting operators within 24 hours of receiving notification from the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets of the Ministry of Finance.
The resolution implements provisions established under Law No. 15.358 (Legal Framework for Combating Organized Crime in Brazil), published on March 24, 2026, which amended Law No. 14.790 of December 29, 2023, to combat irregular betting operations. Decree No. 13.033, issued on June 19, 2026, assigned the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets authority to identify unauthorised fixed-odds betting operators and issue irregularity notices to financial institutions. Upon notification, institutions must freeze all checking accounts, savings accounts, prepaid payment accounts, and registration accounts held by identified illegal operators. Blocked funds become unavailable, and institutions must reject transactions originating from or destined for these accounts if funds are intended, directly or indirectly, for placing bets. Payment arrangement providers must also implement procedures preventing transactions that enable irregular betting operations. Institutions must inform the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets within 48 hours of compliance measures undertaken. Accounts may be unblocked following a final administrative decision favourable to the account holder or after conversion of blocked amounts into judicial deposits. If court decisions confirm asset forfeiture, institutions must close the relevant accounts. Forfeited funds are allocated to the National Public Security Fund within the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. Non-compliance with the resolution triggers penalties under Law No. 14.790.
Resolution No. 5320 enters into force on August 28, 2026. Financial institutions and payment service providers must prepare operational systems and procedures to meet the 24-hour compliance deadline upon receiving blocking notifications from the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets.