Brazil’s gambling market is going into its second year of regulation with a change of leadership at the national gambling regulator.
Regis Dudena, secretary of Prizes and Betting at the Ministry of Finance (SPA), is leaving after almost two years in the role to head the Ministry’s Secretariat of Economic Reforms.
Dudena helped to establish Brazil’s gambling regulator and oversaw the licensing and launch of the regulated market in January 2025, an achievement which earned him recognition in the Gaming Intelligence Hot 50 of 2026.
His former duties at the gambling regulator will be assumed on an interim basis by undersecretary Daniele Correa Cardoso.
In a speech late last week announcing his departure, Dudena said: “The year of the regulated market did not begin on January 1, 2025. In 2024, hard work was done to create the entire regulatory framework of the sector and structure the authorization process for operators.
“This is the first time in history that the State knows who can provide this service, who the partners and directors are, and can act more effectively in the protection of people and in the fight against fraud and money laundering.
“Combating illegality is a necessary counterpart to protect people, guarantee market integrity and support those who operate within the rules,” Dudena added.
“I leave with the conviction that the Secretariat will continue to fulfil its function and will strengthen itself, provided that the actors in the sector understand the public responsibility involved in providing this service.”