Brazil's Betting Market: A Timeline of Recent Events and What Comes Next
By Hugo Llanos – Situation as of September 28, 2026
Over the past few days, many colleagues and friends outside Brazil have asked me what is happening with sports betting in Brazil. The decisions being made there belong to Brazilians, and I don’t intend to offer an opinion on them. What I can do is put the facts in order, so that those following from abroad have a clear picture of where things stand.
How we got here
Fixed-odds betting was first permitted in Brazil in December 2018, when then-President Michel Temer signed Law 13.756/18. That law left the market’s detailed regulation for a later stage, originally expected by the end of 2022.
That regulation came with Law 14.790/2023. It set rules for operators, taxation for both companies and bettors, and how revenue would be distributed. From there, the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) of the Ministry of Finance built out a licensing regime. By August 2026, 85 companies were authorized to offer fixed-odds betting nationally.
Oversight continued to evolve in 2026:
- The SPA published a regulatory agenda for 2026–2027. It included reviewing operator authorization procedures, strengthening the blocking of payments to unauthorized companies, and revising the rules for affiliate advertising.
- In July, the Ministry of Health launched a national campaign on preventing harm linked to online betting.
- In July, the Ministry of Finance also announced that betting advertising would soon need tobacco-style warnings.
What the Provisional Measure establishes
On Friday, September 25, 2026, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed Provisional Measure (MP) 1.394/2026. It prohibits the operation, offering, intermediation and advertising of fixed-odds betting and online gaming throughout the national territory, including online casinos.
The measure took effect immediately. It also cancels authorizations granted by states and the Federal District. Traditional lotteries provided for by law, such as the Mega-Sena, are not affected.
Alongside the MP, the government sent Congress a bill that would criminalize the illegal operation, offering or promotion of betting, with prison sentences and fines.
Key dates for bettors and operators
- From September 25: new deposits on betting platforms are prohibited.
- By 23:59 on October 5: bettors may voluntarily withdraw their existing balances.
- From October 6: betting websites and apps must go offline.
- October 7–8: platforms must report to banks the balances held in each account, identified by CPF (the Brazilian taxpayer ID).
- October 9–14: banks are responsible for returning those amounts in full to bettors.
What happens next
A Provisional Measure has the force of law from publication, but it must be approved by the National Congress to remain in effect. Congress has 120 days to consider it.
The text will first be reviewed by a joint committee of 12 deputies and 12 senators. It then goes to votes in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, which may approve it, amend it or reject it.
In parallel, the matter has reached the judiciary. On September 28, the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) and the Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming (IBJR) asked the Federal Supreme Court (STF) to suspend the MP’s effects. They asked for the suspension to last until Congress completes its review or the Court rules on the merits.
Following closely
This is a fast-moving situation, and several of the steps described here could change in the coming days and weeks. The outcome will depend on Brazil’s own institutions: its Congress, its courts and its public debate.
For those of us who have worked in and alongside the Brazilian market for many years, the priority now is to follow developments carefully, respectfully and with accurate information. I will share updates as the process unfolds.