The betting sector in Brazil has faced pressure in Brasília in recent days, both from the National Congress and from the Planalto.
Following the statements by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva about shutting down bets in the country, a bill introduced by congressman Pedro Uczai, of the PT party, seeks to ban the operation of fixed-odds betting across the entire national territory.
At the same time, Lula himself would reportedly be preparing a decree with restrictions on the market, according to information from journalist Lauro Jardim’s column in O Globo.
What does the bill against bets say?
Bill 1808/2026, proposed by Uczai in April, is categorical in calling for the shutdown of bets in the country.
Available in full on the Chamber of Deputies website, the text states:
- It bans the operation, offering, promotion, and facilitation of fixed-odds betting across the entire national territory
- It revokes provisions of Laws No. 13,756, of December 12, 2018, and No. 14,790, of December 29, 2023
- It establishes measures for blocking access, removing applications, interrupting financial flows, and holding intermediaries accountable
- and protecting content of public interest, among other measures
The justification would be related to the impact of betting on society, especially regarding household debt and the increase in behaviors associated with the risks of gambling addiction.
However, if the bill moves forward, it would bring a series of uncertainties to the market. Licensed operators would face the interruption of their activities.
Licenses granted by the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) could be challenged and may even lose their validity.
This would open the door to legal disputes, since companies in the sector could seek to protect the investments made in accordance with current regulations.
Pressure from the Executive
In addition to the bill introduced in the Chamber of Deputies, the Executive branch is also reportedly about to publish a decree restricting the sector, together with the Ministries of Finance, Planning, and Justice.
As first reported by journalist Lauro Jardim, the measure could ban access to betting sites for those enrolled in the government’s debt refinancing program.
There would also be restrictions on betting house advertisements, aimed at combating incentives toward compulsive behavior and gambling addiction.
The decree is expected to be published in May, and its effects on the betting market would take effect immediately.
Betting market put to the test
With 83 licenses currently in force in the country and more than 193 regulated brands, this is the first political test for the online betting and gambling market.
Even with the introduction of the bill to shut down bets in Brazil, members of the National Congress indicate that the proposal has no chance of advancing anytime soon.
Legal disputes, the interruption of investments, and the growth of the illegal market are among the main reasons against the proposal.
In short, should the decree indeed be issued, there would be limitations on advertising activities and greater demands on operators regarding compliance and consumer protection.