Key Moments:
- The Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) has officially joined Rede-Lab as its 64th member institution.
- This move aligns the SPA with leading national agencies to bolster anti-money laundering (AML) efforts in Brazil’s betting and lottery industries.
- SPA gains access to advanced analytics, training, and inter-agency tools to strengthen regulatory and investigative capacities.
SPA Joins Forces with Rede-Lab to Tackle Financial Crime
The Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA), under Brazil’s Ministry of Finance, has become the 64th public entity to join the National Network of Technology Laboratories Against Money Laundering (Rede-Lab). This initiative, led by the Department of Asset Recovery and International Legal Cooperation within the National Secretariat of Justice (Senajus), marks a major partnership with the Ministry of Justice and Public Security.
Inter-Agency Collaboration to Enhance AML Measures
Rede-Lab was created to promote technology sharing and cooperation among institutions. It connects government bodies that work to detect money laundering and recover illicit assets. Currently, the network includes the Federal Revenue Service, Federal Police, Federal Court of Accounts (TCU), Public Prosecutor’s Offices, Office of the Comptroller General (CGU), Administrative Council for Economic Defense (Cade), and civil police forces across most states.
SPA’s entry represents an important step to improve law enforcement and regulatory coordination in high-risk sectors, especially betting and lotteries. Moreover, by joining Rede-Lab, the SPA adds specialized expertise and new oversight capabilities to the network.
Legal Authority and Institutional Responsibilities
The SPA’s participation is fully supported by national laws, including Law No. 14,790/2023, Law No. 9,613/1998, Decree No. 11,907/2024, and SPA/MF Ordinance No. 1,143/2024. These legal frameworks authorize the SPA to monitor, supervise, and regulate activities linked to money laundering and related crimes in betting and lottery operations.
SPA’s Deputy Secretary, Danielle Cardoso, emphasized the importance of this collaboration: “Rede-Lab is one of Brazil’s most important initiatives to combat money laundering. The SPA, which regulates an industry particularly exposed to this threat, will be in a position to contribute and benefit from the exchange of knowledge and tools in this area.”
Technology, Training, and Capacity Development
Through Rede-Lab, the SPA will use advanced analytical software and data processing systems to enhance financial intelligence and risk assessment. In addition, this access allows the SPA to apply innovative regulatory methods and introduce modern analytical strategies within the growing betting market.
The partnership also provides training programs and technical workshops for SPA personnel. These sessions aim to align procedures, improve investigative skills, and encourage collaboration between institutions. As a result, Brazil is investing in the long-term capacity of its public officials who combat financial crime.
Strengthening Oversight in the Expanding Betting Market
Integrating the SPA into Rede-Lab supports Brazil’s wider goal of fighting illegal gambling and promoting transparency in the betting and lottery industries. Furthermore, the sector’s rapid growth has increased the demand for stronger AML regulations and more effective oversight.
This collaboration is expected to boost SPA’s ability to ensure that betting operators meet national financial standards. Meanwhile, the joint efforts of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Justice will help manage risks related to digital payments, unregulated gaming, and cross-border transactions.
Overall, Brazil is moving toward a more secure and transparent betting environment. By adopting technology-driven and intelligence-based regulation, the SPA’s role in Rede-Lab becomes a key part of this modernization process.
| Entity | Role in Rede-Lab |
|---|---|
| SPA (Secretariat of Prizes and Betting) | Regulation and oversight of the betting and lottery sectors, anti-money laundering initiatives |
| Federal Police, Revenue Service, Civil Police, TCU, CGU, Cade, Public Prosecutor’s Offices | Law enforcement, financial analysis, prosecution, and regulatory collaboration for AML efforts |
- Author
Daniel Williams
