Esportes da Sorte has secured a federal court ruling allowing the company to operate across Brazil’s regulated gambling market, despite holding only a state lottery licence via Loterj. The decision, issued by the Federal Court of the Federal District on 13 January, permits the Esportes da Sorte Group to launch its brands, Esportes da Sorte and OnaBet, nationwide without a federal or interim licence.
Case Background
On 3 January, Brazil’s Supreme Court Justice André Mendonça introduced a temporary ban on Rio de Janeiro state lottery (Loterj) licence holders from offering gambling services nationwide. However, Esportes da Sorte obtained Loterj approval in August 2024 after its parent company, Esportes Gaming Brazil, acquired a majority stake in ST Soft, a licensed platform operator under Loterj.
The new ruling grants Esportes da Sorte a special national operational licence. The order is required to be published in the government’s official gazette within 72 hours of the decision.
Company Response
In a statement to BNL Data, Esportes da Sorte reaffirmed its commitment to compliance with legal and regulatory requirements:
“The decision confirms that the company has adhered to all legal and regulatory procedures from the start, as stipulated by the law and associated regulations.”
The company also emphasised its dedication to regulating the sector and promoting responsible gambling to safeguard societal interests, create jobs, and contribute to Brazil’s economic, social, and cultural development.
Past Market Exclusion
In September 2024, company owner Darwin Henrique da Silva Filho and his wife were arrested during “Operation Integration,” an investigation into money laundering and illegal betting. Although Esportes da Sorte denied all allegations, the company was initially excluded from the list of approved operators for the interim gambling period from 1 October to 31 December 2024. It was later reinstated after acquiring ST Soft.
At the end of the transitional period, Esportes da Sorte was again excluded, as it was not among the 14 licensed operators or 52 temporarily authorised companies for the official market launch on 1 January 2025. The Federal Court cited Article 5 of Brazil’s Constitution, which states that no one shall be deemed guilty until proven so in a final court ruling.
Impact on Sponsorship Agreements
The ruling also affects football clubs such as Corinthians and Grêmio, sponsored by Esportes da Sorte. Ordinance No. 1,231 mandates that only licensed companies may sponsor sports teams, creating prior uncertainty for the clubs. Corinthians expressed support for the company, stating:
“Sport Club Corinthians Paulista reaffirms its trust in Esportes da Sorte, our sponsorship partner, which has fulfilled all contractual obligations.”
