Brazil Implements Immediate Ban on Betting and Online Casinos, Setting Withdrawal Deadlines
Brazil enforces an immediate ban on all betting activities, including virtual casinos and advertisements, with clear deadlines for companies and users to cease operations and withdraw funds.
- • Brazil's provisional measure bans all betting operations and related advertising effective immediately.
- • Authorized betting companies must cease activities by October 6, 2026, with fund withdrawals and ad removals due by October 5.
- • No compensation will be provided to the 85 licensed companies affected, who paid R$ 2.55 billion in fees.
- • New legislation will criminalize violations, with penalties of 2 to 6 years in prison.
- • The ban is justified due to rising gambling-related public health issues and increased demand for related health services.
Key details
On September 25, 2026, the Brazilian government issued a provisional measure that imposes a comprehensive ban on all forms of betting, including online sports betting and virtual casinos, effective immediately across the country. Signed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the measure prohibits the operation, intermediation, offering, and advertising of betting services within Brazil.
According to official reports, companies authorized to conduct such operations, numbering approximately 85 and having paid R$ 2.55 billion for licenses, must cease activities by October 6, 2026. Additionally, there is a deadline of October 5 for withdrawing funds from betting platforms and for the removal of all related advertisements.
The government’s decision is motivated by rising public health concerns linked to gambling disorders. Projections indicate a 140% increase in demand for health services addressing gambling-related issues by 2025. To augment enforcement, a newly established committee will oversee the ban’s implementation, including combating illegal betting operations through blocking unauthorized websites and monitoring related financial transactions.
Furthermore, alongside the provisional measure, the government plans to present legislation to criminalize offenses related to noncompliance with the ban, with penalties ranging from two to six years imprisonment. This legislation aims to define and penalize crimes associated with illegal gambling activities.
No compensation will be provided to companies affected by this prohibition, underlining the government’s firm stance on addressing the harms posed by betting. Users are granted specific timeframes to terminate betting activities and secure their remaining funds.
This measure signals a significant policy shift, emphasizing public health priorities and regulatory control over gambling in Brazil, while setting robust legal mechanisms to ensure compliance and address illegal operations moving forward.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (2)
Source comparison
Date of the provisional measure
Sources report different years for the signing of the provisional measure
www12.senado.leg.br
"the Brazilian government issued a provisional measure on September 25, 2026"
agenciabrasil.ebc.com.br
"President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed a provisional measure on September 25, 2023"
Why this matters: One source states the measure was signed on September 25, 2023, while the other claims it was issued on September 25, 2026. This discrepancy affects the timeline of the events being reported.