Brazilian regulators have notified Apple and Google that 'age restrictions are not being properly implemented in gambling apps offered on their app stores.'

Apple and Google, which operate the official smartphone app stores App Store and Google Play, have reportedly received a notification from the Brazilian Ministry of Justice and Public Security (MJSP) stating that 'age restriction features are not properly implemented in gambling apps intended for minors.'

Governo notifica Google e Apple por bets a jovens - 17/04/2026 - Cotidiano - Folha

https://9to5mac.com/2026/04/20/brazilian-officials-notify-apple-over-lack-of-age-controls-in-betting-apps-on-the-app-store/

According to Folha de S.Paulo, Brazil's largest-circulation daily newspaper, the National Digital Rights Office (SEDIGI) and the National Consumer Affairs Agency (SENACON), both under the Brazilian Ministry of Justice and Public Security, have sent letters to Google and Apple informing them that they are allowing minors to access, or facilitate access to, numerous apps. SEDIGI is an agency dedicated to promoting and protecting fundamental rights in the digital environment, while SENACON is the central organization responsible for formulating, coordinating, and overseeing the country's consumer protection policies.

According to this letter, many of the gambling apps pointed out by Brazilian regulators are not licensed by the Brazilian government and are unable to comply with Brazil's new law, ' ECA Digital .' ECA Digital sets out rules to protect minors in the digital environment, restricting access by imposing age restrictions on gambling and other content.

A notice from Brazilian regulators states that 'Internet application stores and operating systems must prevent the provision of products or services that promote, offer or make accessible any type of lottery, including fixed-odds gambling, that is not authorized by the competent authority.'

Furthermore, the list of apps that Brazilian regulators deemed not to be compliant with ECA Digital reportedly included an alternative app for 'Fortune Tiger' (known as 'jogo do Tigrinho' in Portuguese), a slot-style gambling app that is popular in some countries, including Brazil.

Apple is also developing age verification tools to comply with age verification laws that are being enacted around the world.

Apple is rolling out updates to its age verification tools and blocking downloads based on age to comply with laws protecting children - GIGAZINE

Apple has declined to respond to comments from Folha de S.Paulo and 9to5Mac, but Google has told Folha de S.Paulo that it has 'reiterated to developers the importance of complying with ECA Digital.' It further stated that Android app developers set age ratings on Google Play through a system provided by the International Age Rating Coalition (IARC), which complies with Brazilian law.