BET DA CAIXA: TCU demands explanations from Caixa over delay in implementation

The Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) has launched an investigation into the delay by Caixa Loterias S.A. in launching the so-called “Bet da Caixa.” In a decision signed on March 27, 2026, minister Jhonatan de Jesus pointed to possible signs of inefficient use of public resources, since the state-owned company has already paid R$30 million for the federal concession but has not yet begun operations.

Caixa received final authorization in July 2025 from the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting of the Ministry of Finance, allowing it to operate sports betting and online gaming through both physical and digital channels under the brands BetCaixa, MegaBet, and Xbet Caixa. Despite having a valid license, the operation has not yet started, which, according to the TCU, may violate the principle of economic efficiency.

The Febralot warns that the delay negatively impacts the physical lottery network, which is losing competitiveness to the rapid expansion of private operators, especially with demand building ahead of the 2026 World Cup. In a market legalized in 2018 and regulated in 2025, Caixa’s entry is seen as important for maintaining competitive balance due to its nationwide reach and credibility.

The TCU has given Caixa five business days to present factual, technical, and administrative explanations for the delay in launching the platform. It also set a 15-day deadline for the company to submit an updated launch schedule, as well as details on compliance, integrity, security, and responsible gambling measures. These include mechanisms to prevent problem gambling, such as self-exclusion, operational limits, behavioral alerts, and identity and age verification. The company must also provide documentation proving the fiscal compliance and operational presence in Brazil of the platform’s providers and subcontractors.