On May 8, 2026, Apple published a notice on its developer portal confirming that apps with fixed-odds betting features must hold a valid license from Brazil’s Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA — Secretaria de Prêmios e Apostas) to remain available on the App Store in Brazil. The requirement applies to any app that selects “Yes” to the gambling question in the App Store Connect age rating questionnaire. Without a license, distribution in the Brazilian storefront stops.
Brazil’s betting regulation framework
The legal foundation is Portaria SPA/MF n. 1.231, signed on July 31, 2024, by Brazil’s Ministry of Finance. The ordinance establishes responsible gambling rules, operator obligations for communications and marketing, bettor rights, and requirements for anti-money laundering measures. Before this regulation, fixed-odds betting apps had no clear legal framework to operate in Brazil, and the App Store did not distribute them there.
The SPA, housed within the Ministry of Finance, is the body responsible for authorizing, regulating, monitoring, and sanctioning companies in the betting sector. The regulated market became operational at the start of 2025, and only SPA-authorized operators can legally operate in Brazil. The regulation requires operators to implement player self-exclusion programs, gambling risk disclosures, restrictions on bonuses tied to player deposits, and affiliation with sports integrity monitoring bodies.
Apple’s move on May 8 aligns the App Store with this framework. The store previously blocked betting apps in Brazil entirely; now it allows them, provided the operator holds a valid SPA license.
Submission requirements for betting apps in App Store Connect
One detail that matters for anyone managing the submission: updating only the App Review Information section does not start the license verification process. You must submit a new app version.
When submitting that version, there are three steps in App Store Connect:
- Answer “Yes” to the gambling question in the age rating questionnaire. This automatically sets the Brazil age rating to A18 (adults 18+). The change is scoped to Brazil and does not affect age ratings in other regions.
- In the App Review Information section, enter your SPA license details in the Notes field.
- Attach the supporting documentation using the file attachment field in the same section.
Apple’s announcement does not specify what form the SPA license documentation must take, and review timelines for these submissions are not mentioned. For questions about the specific legal obligations under Brazilian law, such as required gambling risk warnings and age restriction disclosures, Apple directs developers to consult legal counsel.
Commission rates: already changed as of March 15, 2026
The May 8 announcement drew attention to commission rates, but those had already changed nearly two months earlier. As of March 15, 2026:
- Standard in-app purchase and paid app transactions: 25% (down from 30%)
- Qualifying transactions under the App Store Small Business Program, Mini Apps Partner Program, and auto-renewable subscription renewals after the first year: 12% (down from 15%)
The reduced rates apply to all transactions in the Brazilian storefront, not only to betting apps. Signing updated terms before March 15 was not required to receive the benefit of the lower rates from that date.
The timing is worth noting. Apple lowered its commission rates in the same window that it opened the Brazilian App Store to regulated betting apps. Whether the two decisions were coordinated or parallel is not stated. Developers with monthly subscriptions with a 12-month commitment on the Brazilian storefront should confirm they are seeing the updated 12% rate for post-first-year renewals.
What to watch next
Apple’s announcement does not indicate how long App Review takes to verify SPA license documentation. Developers with existing betting apps that were previously unavailable in Brazil should prioritize submitting a new version with the required materials. The Brazilian regulatory framework is still evolving — Portaria SPA/MF n. 1.231/2024 has already been supplemented by additional Ministry of Finance ordinances, and compliance requirements may continue to shift. Tracking the Apple Developer News page and the SPA’s official communications is the most direct way to stay current.
