The ban on bets (fixed-odds betting operators) reaches operators, banks, advertisers and digital platforms, with short deadlines and heavy penalties.
The ban on bets came into force on 25 September 2026, through Provisional Measure No. 1,394. The rule prohibits the operation, the offering, the intermediation and the advertising of fixed-odds betting lotteries throughout the national territory. In addition, it reaches operators based abroad that offer bets to persons located in Brazil.
What changes with the ban on bets
The prohibition covers bets on real sporting events and online games. On the other hand, the remaining lottery modalities authorised by law remain permitted.
The authorisations granted under Law No. 14,790/2023 will be terminated thirty days after publication of the measure. According to the rule, the termination arises from public interest. For this reason, the operator will have no right to a refund of the grant fee or to compensation.
As from its publication, the rule prohibits new authorisations. Accordingly, applications still pending are rendered ineffective.
There is also a transition timetable. Ten days after publication, operators must take their websites and applications offline, failing which they will be blocked. Open bets with no result determined by that date cease to have effect, with full reimbursement to the bettor. Prizes relating to results determined up to that time, however, remain payable.
Next, the operator has two days to secure the funds and to send the banks the list of bettors. Thereafter, the financial institutions have seven days to transfer the amounts. Amounts not reimbursed will be transferred to a specific account at Caixa Econômica Federal (the federal State-owned bank).
Who is affected by the end of the bets
The effects go beyond the operators. First, banks, payment institutions and payment arrangements may not process transactions intended for betting. An exception applies to the operations necessary for the wind-down and the reimbursement.
In addition, the rule prohibits advertising, marketing and sponsorship of betting in any medium. Advertisers must withdraw the material within ten days. The infringement constitutes abusive advertising under the terms of the Código de Defesa do Consumidor (Brazilian Consumer Protection Code).
Internet application providers, application stores and operating systems also have duties. They must prevent the circulation of such content and remove prohibited products. In the event of non-compliance, fines may reach 10% of the group’s turnover in the country, capped at R$ 50 million per infringement.
Lastly, operators remain liable for the obligations of the authorised period, such as taxes and reporting. Likewise, they must retain data and records for a minimum of five years.
What still depends on regulation
The provisional measure has the force of law, but still depends on conversion by the Congresso Nacional (Brazilian National Congress). In the meantime, the Banco Central (Brazilian Central Bank) is to regulate the payment prohibitions. Furthermore, a regulation will set out the functioning of the inter-institutional supervisory committee created by the rule.
In short, the ban on bets imposes short deadlines and heavy penalties on various sectors. The firm is monitoring the matter in view of its implications for sponsorship agreements, payments and platform liability, as part of its monitoring of changes in business legislation.