Online payment processors, Neteller and Skrill will stop processing cash deposits for online gambling operators in Brazil effective February 21 this year. Brazil punters were given notice via email from both payment processors that they “will no longer process deposits by members in Brazil to gambling merchants.” Brazil gamblers will have February 28 to withdraw funds from online casinos to their Neteller or Skrill accounts.
The Brazilian punters using both online payment processors were not given clear details on why the two processors decided to stop accepting transactions from online casinos. Although it is likely due to the current legal status of online gambling in Brazil, which is still under the process of legalization. Two gambling bills were filed in Brazil’s Congress, but the progress for gambling regulation in the country is running at a slow pace. The voting process in Brazil’s Congress is often delayed that it even reached a point where the voters in the committee abandoned their right to vote.
Brazil and Gambling Legalization
PLS 186/2014 is the bill filed to Brazil’s Congress that would allow the expansion of the gambling options in the country. The bill includes allowing the entrance of land-based casinos, online sports betting, casino games, and lotteries in Brazil. It is reported that the bill would hopefully make progress this year.
On the other hand, Brazilians are in favor of legalizing online gambling in their country. According to an online poll conducted by the Senate of Brazil, 86 percent of the total 2,672 respondents voted to support the legalization of online gambling. Moreover, Brazil has a high potential for its gambling market and it continues to attract gaming operators to set up shop in the country. If only proper regulations and support from the government follows, opportunities to further improve online gaming services through player feedback would be more prominent.
Bitcoin as an alternative
Unfortunately, Brazilian Bitcoin players using Neteller or Skrill to fund their accounts on fiat-only gambling sites will be affected by this sudden revocation of the payment option. Instead, they can choose to play on Bitcoin casino sites, which directly accepts Bitcoin deposits and withdrawals without having to go through third-party payment processors like Neteller and Skrill. You wouldn’t have to go through exchange websites, and in the long run, is much more convenient for bettors.
For the Brazilian punters yet to find out what is Bitcoin, now is the perfect opportunity to explore what is Bitcoin. The virtual currency continues to be a reliable option to top-up online casino accounts. Using Bitcoin includes many benefits that will make gambling easier. You’ll be able to utilize cheaper transaction fees, faster transactions, and anonymous gaming. For a comprehensive list of the best gaming sites to play on, check out the Bitcoin casino review page of Bitcoin Casino Finder and encounter quality online gaming providers.
