Brazil’s National Consumer Secretariat (Senacon), part of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP), has initiated a preliminary inquiry to investigate potential non-compliance with consumer protection regulations by the Estonian company Spribe OÜ, the developer of the electronic game Aviator.

The procedure stems from a formal complaint filed by Public Prosecutor Paulo Roberto Binicheski—of the 1st Consumer Protection Prosecutor’s Office of the Public Ministry of the Federal District and Territories (MPDFT)—which highlighted indications that the game was being made available on betting platforms lacking authorization to operate in the Brazilian market.

The inquiry seeks to clarify whether the company employs effective mechanisms to prevent its product from being used by unauthorized operators and whether any measures implemented are sufficient to prevent the game from being offered in violation of Brazilian regulations. According to the documents supporting the procedure, the game remained accessible on various platforms even after reports of removal actions taken by the company.

According to National Consumer Secretary Ricardo Morishita, specialized companies operating in regulated markets have obligations commensurate with the technical expertise they possess regarding the sector.

“Deliberately failing to implement minimal mechanisms to verify operator authorization can reduce compliance costs, expand the client base, increase revenue, and shift the risks of illicit activity entirely onto consumers and the State.”

Morishita stated that suppliers of technology for the regulated betting market must adopt minimum due diligence procedures to verify the status of the operators with whom they maintain business relationships.

The Secretary also emphasized that the initiation of the inquiry does not imply a conclusion regarding the company’s liability, noting that the principles of adversarial proceedings and the right to a full defense are guaranteed.

“A company that understands the rules of the regulated market—because it serves authorized operators—yet chooses to ignore them in order to provide services to illegal operators as well, thereby increasing its revenue, demonstrates a disregard for consumer protection standards. Such conduct must be investigated firmly, while always adhering to due process of law.”