Flávio Bolsonaro flees to Miami in $905m betting laundering probe

Investigators allege Bolsonaro secretly co-owned betting brands with lawyer Willer Tomaz.

The hit

Flávio Bolsonaro landed in Miami on a private jet after Brazil’s Federal Police cancelled his passports, according to the Guardian. He fled days after losing Sunday’s presidential runoff, as he faces an alleged money-laundering scheme involving betting companies.

Why it matters

The case centres on whether Bolsonaro secretly co-owned betting brands with lawyer Willer Tomaz, who is also under investigation. A win would have shielded him; Brazil’s Constitution bars prosecuting a sitting president for acts outside his term. Because he lost, a 2025 ruling keeps the case at the Supreme Court. For the betting sector, it keeps scrutiny on licensed operators’ ownership structures & anti-money-laundering controls.

The record

Alleged laundering scheme	around $905m involving betting companies (Federal Police)
BestBet revenue vs licence cost	just over BRL360,000 ($67,275) taken in almost two years against a BRL5m Rio licence fee
Tomaz’s sports wagers via Blaze	over BRL10bn, named Brazil’s biggest gambler (SPA)
Passport order	cancelled by Federal Police after Bolsonaro’s passports were not handed over by 11am Tuesday

What happens next

Watch for Bolsonaro’s expected press conference on Wednesday or Thursday & any Supreme Federal Court move on the passport order & the laundering case.

Sources: Flávio Bolsonaro lands in Miami as betting-linked money laundering probe continues

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