Meta Ordered to Remove Illegal Gambling Ads in Brazil Within 48 Hours

Brazil's AG office has ordered Meta to remove illegal gambling ads from its platforms within 48 hours. The ads promote unauthorized online betting and gambling services. Meta has been given a deadline to comply with the order.

Brazil's Attorney General's Office (AGU) has ordered Meta to remove hundreds of unauthorized gambling ads from its platforms within 48 hours. The ads promote illegal online betting and gambling services, violating Brazilian law. This directive comes on the heels of an investigation into Meta's ad library, which uncovered widespread advertising for unlicensed betting operators.

Brazil's top legal office has issued a notice through the National Prosecutor's Office of the Union for the Defense of Democracy (PNDD), demanding that Meta, owner of Facebook and Instagram, remove the advertisements within the specified timeframe. The AGU has emphasized that these ads are not only illegal but could also be linked to serious offenses such as tax evasion, money laundering, fraud, and consumer protection violations.

The Brazilian legal framework requires any gambling operator to obtain a license from the Ministry of Finance before promoting its services. The ads flagged in this investigation failed to meet this requirement, as they did not feature the mandatory ".bet.br" domain, a sign of compliance for legitimate Brazilian betting sites.

This is not the first time Meta's ad policies have faced scrutiny. In India, the company faced questions over a money laundering probe tied to unlicensed gambling ads. In the Philippines, Meta removed Facebook pages of influencers promoting illegal gambling sites. Brazil's enforcement adds to international pressure at a time when governments are tightening rules around digital advertising and platform responsibility.

Under Article 19 of the Brazilian Civil Rights Framework for the Internet, digital platforms can now be held liable for illegal content they host. The AGU has set a 48-hour deadline for Meta to remove the ads, stating that platforms must "prove they acted diligently and within a reasonable time to make the content unavailable."

If Meta fails to comply, it risks legal action and penalties. The move sends a strong message that unauthorized gambling promotions will not be tolerated, and enforcement will be swift. This case also shows the AGU's readiness to use legal reforms to hold tech giants accountable, ensuring that online gambling in Brazil remains fully regulated.

With Brazil's betting market still evolving, this enforcement will be closely watched by operators, advertisers, and regulators in other jurisdictions facing stricter gambling ad rules.

References:
[1] https://www.igamingtoday.com/meta-told-to-pull-illegal-gambling-ads-in-brazil-within-48-hours/
[2] https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2025/08/14/114839-brazils-attorney-general-presses-meta-to-pull-ads-for-unauthorized-betting-sites
[3] https://www.newsnet5.com/news/brazilian-agu-orders-meta-remove-illegal-gambling-ads/