Esportes da Sorte acquires Apostou.com in Brazil

The Esportes da Sorte Group has acquired Apostou.com, the operator of BETBR Loterias—a company licensed by the Secretariat of Lotteris and Betting (SPA) with a strong foothold in Brazil and a significant physical presence in the state of Paraná.

The acquisition also includes the operator’s other two brands, B1BET and BRBET. This move strengthens Esportes da Sorte’s presence in the world’s fifth-largest betting market and expands the group’s commitment to the regulated sector.

Given the growth of the Brazilian betting market, such M&A moves were already on the radar of the entire ecosystem. In the first five months of 2026 alone, Brazil generated nearly BRL6 billion ($1.2 billion) in revenue from regulated operations.

This figure stems from a 12% levy on betting operators’ gross gaming revenue (GGR), combined with corporate taxes (IRPJ, CSLL, PIS, and Cofins). This has sparked interest among major operators in acquiring smaller brands.

In addition to the Esportes da Sorte brand, the group operates Lottu and Onabet. Earlier in 2024, prior to securing its federal licence from the SPA, the company acquired a controlling stake in ST Soft Desenvolvimento de Programas de Computadores Ltda. That company owned another brand also named Apostou, which had been accredited by Loterj since 2023.

Group in good position in Brazil

Esportes Gaming Brasil has held a definitive license from the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting since 2025. Currently, two of its three brands rank among the top 10 betting operators in the country. According to Blask’s rankings for the first quarter of 2026, Esportes da Sorte holds sixth place, while Onabet ranks 10th. Betano remains at the top of the list, followed by bet365.

Prior to obtaining the national licence, the group had already acquired ST Soft, a holder of a Loterj licence. At the time, this move secured a presence in the national market while the company awaited its federal license. Until then, companies licensed by Loterj operated nationwide based on the understanding that Loterj’s servers were centralized in Rio de Janeiro.

The acquisition process is under review by the Administrative Council for Economic Defense – CADE (Public Notice No. 464). The acquisition is being led by HS Gaming Participações, a subsidiary of Esportes Gaming Brasil.

M&A on the radar

The betting sector in Brazil has long attracted interest from major players, both domestic and international. A prime example is Flutter Entertainment’s acquisition of a controlling stake in Betnacional (ranked 7^th by Blask); the company already operated the Betfair brand in the country. Esportes da Sorte acquired Apostou.com as part of a similar move to expand its operations in Brazil.

Another move in this direction came from ANA Gaming, the owner of the 7K, Cassino, and Vera brands. The group—one of the most active in Brazil—recently finalised the acquisition of Aposta Tudo. Prior to this, it had already taken control of Donald Bet and Ponto Bet.