IBJR expands membership while maintaining focus on regulation
The Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming (IBJR) announced yesterday that DigiPlus Interactive Corp. has joined its membership, strengthening the organisation’s representation at a time when Brazil’s regulated betting market continues to consolidate. The company, which operates the BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone platforms, now joins a group that includes some of the leading national and international operators active in the country.
Brazil’s betting sector was regulated a year and a half ago and remains in a phase of strengthening and consolidation, with increasing oversight of both authorised companies and illegal operators. According to IBJR, the company’s admission marks another step toward expanding cooperation among businesses that support a betting environment based on regulatory compliance, consumer protection and the fight against the illegal market.
According to a statement released by the institute, the addition of the new member increases its representation within the Brazilian market. IBJR also stated that its members account for more than 60 per cent of the country’s licensed betting operations, although more recent information published by IBJR indicates that this share is now approaching 75 per cent of Brazil’s online betting market.
International expansion reaches Brazil
Founded in the Philippines, DigiPlus has built its presence in the digital entertainment sector over more than 25 years. The company began with land-based operations before completing its transition to the online environment in 2022. It currently operates three main brands: BingoPlus, ArenaPlus and GameZone. DigiPlus is also listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange and ranks among the country’s most actively traded stocks. In recent years, the company has accelerated its international expansion strategy, selecting Brazil and South Africa as priority markets.
According to IBJR Chief Executive Officer Carlos Lima, DigiPlus joining the institute reinforces the sector’s commitment to regulation and responsible practices. He said the company is recognised for its contribution to the development of the digital entertainment market in the Philippines, and that its membership demonstrates the maturity of the betting industry, particularly as efforts to strengthen responsible gambling initiatives and combat illegal operations continue.
“The company’s admission demonstrates the maturity of the sector and reinforces its commitment to regulation and the firm fight against the illegal betting market. We will remain committed to strengthening responsible gambling, with the protection of bettors as our priority,” said Carlos Lima.
DigiPlus Brazil General Manager Graham Tidey said that becoming a member of IBJR was one of the company’s strategies for building a strong brand in the country. According to him, the company intends to replicate in Brazil the experience it has gained over more than two decades in the Philippines, while fully complying with Brazilian regulatory requirements.
“Joining IBJR reflects DigiPlus’ expansion in Brazil, where we already operate the BingoPlus brand and continue investing in strengthening our presence,” said Graham Tidey.
Combating the illegal market remains a priority
Since its foundation in 2023, IBJR has focused its work on two priorities: promoting responsible gambling and combating platforms operating without authorisation in Brazil. The institute argues that regulation provides greater consumer protection by establishing requirements related to player identification, anti-money laundering measures, responsible advertising, self-exclusion mechanisms and safer gambling policies.
At the same time, IBJR maintains that the growth of licensed companies depends on tackling illegal betting operators who operate outside the federal government’s rules and fail to comply with the obligations imposed on authorised operators.
In recent months, IBJR has supported several government initiatives aimed at making it more difficult for these platforms to operate, including regulations that introduce financial blocking measures against illegal operators and increase oversight of companies offering betting services without a federal licence.
Associations contribute to regulation
The expansion of IBJR’s membership also reflects the growth of Brazil’s regulated market since the federal fixed odds betting rules came into force in January 2025. During the first months of 2026, the sector recorded higher tax revenue and increased income for licensed operators. The industry has begun generating tax volumes comparable to those of traditional sectors of the economy.
Despite this growth, a significant share of betting activity still takes place on unlicensed platforms, reducing public revenue, making it more difficult to enforce consumer protection policies and undermining the operations of properly licensed companies.
Against this backdrop, associations and industry organisations believe that increasing the number of operators committed to complying with Brazilian regulations helps strengthen the regulated market and improve bettors’ confidence in authorised companies.
Recently, the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) announced the addition of TaDa Gaming, BB Gaming and Legitimuz, companies operating in strategic areas such as content provision, technology and compliance. This demonstrates that industry associations are playing an increasingly important role as intermediaries between companies and public authorities. In addition to advocating for a competitive and regulated market, these organisations contribute to improving regulations, promoting compliance best practices, advancing responsible gambling initiatives and encouraging dialogue with regulators.
Collaboration between operators, suppliers, public authorities and representative organisations has been regarded as one of the key factors in building a more transparent, sustainable market aligned with international standards.
This article was first published on the Portuguese SiGMA News page on 14 July 2026.
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