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On August 13, 2026, Brazil's Ministry of Finance ordered the immediate suspension of Pixbet, a sports betting company based in Campina Grande, Paraíba. The precautionary measure cancels all ongoing bets and mandates the return of wagered amounts to users. The suspension affects three domains: pix.bet.br, ganhei.bet.br, and betdasorte.br. The Ministry of Finance imposed a daily fine of R$200 for non-compliance with the order. The suspension follows Operation Arena, a Federal Police investigation launched the same day in conjunction with the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Ministry of Finance, and the Federal Revenue Service. The operation investigates suspected currency evasion and money laundering through sports betting. Federal agents executed 19 search and seizure warrants across Paraíba, São Paulo, Sergipe, Rio de Janeiro, and Paraná. Court-authorised measures include lifting bank and telecommunications secrecy and seizing up to R$1.1 billion. Pixbet's owner, Ernildo Júnior, was approached by federal agents in Campina Grande; his vehicle and mobile phone were seized during the execution of a search warrant. According to the Ministry of Finance's precautionary measure, Pixbet failed to comply with sector regulations for monitoring and auditing. The Prizes and Betting Secretariat indicated the company failed to submit mandatory information required by the agency. Those under investigation may face charges of currency evasion, money laundering, and crimes against Brazil's national financial system. Pixbet stated it was "taken by surprise" by the actions and declared it did not have access to the court decision authorising the operation. The company can resume operations only after submitting required information and receiving confirmation of compliance from the Prizes and Bets Secretariat.