TLDR
- Apple updated App Store policies on May 8 to allow licensed fixed-odds betting apps in Brazil
- Only companies with a valid license from Brazil’s Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA-MF) are eligible
- Developers must submit a new app version with license documentation through App Store Connect
- All gambling apps must carry an 18+ age rating
- The move follows Brazil’s broader regulatory framework legalizing sports betting and iGaming
Apple has updated its App Store guidelines to permit the distribution of licensed fixed-odds betting applications in Brazil. The policy change took effect on Thursday, May 8.
Under the new rules, only companies holding a valid license from the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting of the Ministry of Finance, known as SPA-MF, are eligible to publish betting apps on the platform.
The update comes as Brazil continues to build out its regulated gambling industry. Recent legal changes in the country have opened the door for licensed sports betting and iGaming operators to launch services.
Previously, Apple maintained stricter restrictions on gambling apps in Brazil compared to other markets. That led many betting companies to rely on mobile web platforms and progressive web apps rather than developing native iOS applications.
What Developers Must Do
Licensed operators looking to publish apps face several requirements during the App Review process. Apple is requiring developers to submit a brand-new app version rather than simply updating an existing one.
The company says that changing information only in the App Review Information section does not count as a proper update. A full new submission is required.
Operators must also include their SPA-MF license documentation along with App Review notes. Apple recommends using a separate Notes field in App Store Connect for licensing details.
Supporting documents proving the operator’s permission to run betting services in Brazil must be uploaded as file attachments. All gambling-related apps will automatically receive an 18+ age rating if developers select the gambling option in the age rating questionnaire.
Consumer Safety and Compliance
Apple says all submitted apps will be reviewed for compliance with local laws related to consumer safety and gambling risks. The company has urged betting operators to work with legal consultants to make sure their apps meet the regulatory framework.
The policy shift aligns Brazil more closely with European markets, where licensed betting operators already distribute apps through official app stores.
Mobile devices are the primary way users access betting platforms in Brazil. Most users prefer smartphones over personal computers for placing bets.
The availability of native apps could change how operators approach customer acquisition and retention. Native apps give operators access to push notifications and other communication tools that mobile websites cannot fully replicate.
Before this change, the lack of native app distribution limited how licensed operators could reach Brazilian users. Web-based alternatives, while functional, did not offer the same level of integration with device features.
The update also creates a clearer line between regulated companies and unlicensed operators. Having apps available through official channels gives users a way to verify that a betting service is properly licensed.
Industry leaders and regulators have been calling for cooperation between tech platforms like Apple and local betting authorities. This policy update is one result of those discussions.
Apple’s decision applies specifically to fixed-odds betting apps. The company has not announced changes for other types of gambling applications at this time.
Brazil’s regulated betting market has been growing since the government began issuing licenses to operators. The App Store policy update is the latest development in that process, with Apple now accepting new app submissions from licensed operators through App Store Connect as of May 8.
