LatAm Streamers Are influencers in Latin America giving gambling a bad name?
Influencers across Latin America are facing growing scrutiny as authorities link high-profile online personalities to illegal gambling schemes, money laundering and misleading promotion of betting platforms. With Brazil and Argentina leading a wave of raids, arrests and new regulatory measures, the region is confronting how social-media- driven gambling promotion has exposed minors, undermined consumer trust and damaged the industry’s reputation.
BAD INFLUENCE
Influencer culture is extremely strong and widespread in Brazil, with the country having one of the largest social media-using populations globally and the highest number of Instagram influencers. Tere were 153 710 800 Instagram users in Brazil in October 2025, which accounted for 69.1 per cent of its entire population. In global terms it comes in third place after India and the US.
In Brazil, influencers have specific legal responsibilities regarding advertising. Tey must clearly identify promotional content to avoid misleading consumers and comply with the Consumer Protection Code (CDC), which prohibits deceptive practices. Te National Council for Advertising Self-Regulation (CONAR) created the Guide to Advertising by Digital Influencers in 2020, a kind of advertising code of ethics to guide the online work of these virtual celebrities. But this hasn’t stopped influencers from breaking the rules.
RAIDS TAKE PLACE ACROSS BRAZIL In October 2025 the Federal Police arrested influencer Bruno Alexssander Souza Silva nicknamed Buzeira, during Operation Narco
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In 2020, during the pandemic, Buzeira started his digital
activity. He raffled off cars and motorcycles through online
sweepstakes and cultivated an image of ostentatious wealth. With over 15 million followers on Instagram, the influencer frequently shared images of sports cars, motorcycles,
helicopters, and parties with friends at the luxury
condominium where he lived. After his arrest he was
transferred to a state detention centre in São Paulo.
In 2020, during the pandemic, Buzeira started his digital activity. He raffled off cars and motorcycles through online sweepstakes and cultivated an image of ostentatious wealth. With over 15 million followers on Instagram, the influencer frequently shared images of sports cars, motorcycles, helicopters, and parties with friends at the luxury condominium where he lived.
After his arrest he was transferred to a state detention centre in São Paulo. His defence lawyer stated that Buzeira has no connection to anything illegal.
Eleven arrest warrants and nineteen search and seizure warrants were executed in Santa Catarina, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Gerais as part of the Narco Bet operation. Te measures also include the freezing of assets and funds totalling more than R$630m, aimed
Bet, which is investigating an international money laundering scheme linked to drug trafficking. Te Federal Police seized at least ten luxury vehicles belonging to Buzeira in his condominium in a gated community where luxury homes typically go for around R$3m.
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