Brazilian Ministry of Sports Officially Regulates Authorized Sports for Fixed-Odds Betting in 2026
The Brazilian Ministry of Sports has formalized regulations specifying authorized sports for fixed-odds betting in 2026, including Olympic disciplines, eSports with licensing, and bans on amateur events.
- • Regulation 27/2026 specifies eight categories of sports eligible for betting, including Olympic and Paralympic disciplines.
- • eSports betting is allowed with licensing or authorization from game developers, with no exclusive operators permitted.
- • Betting on amateur sports and events involving minors under 18 years is strictly prohibited.
- • The regulations aim to clarify the market and promote sustainable growth in Brazil's betting sector.
Key details
On October 7, 2026, the Brazilian Ministry of Sports published regulation number 27/2026, setting official guidelines for sports authorized for fixed-odds betting in the country. This new regulation aims to provide clear parameters on eligible sports categories while fostering sector growth and market integrity.
The regulation permits betting on eight categories of sports, specifically those recognized by major international organizations such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), and the International Committee of Sports for the Deaf (ICSD). Sports covered include traditional Olympic and Paralympic events like football (soccer), athletics, basketball, volleyball, swimming, cycling, judo, as well as popular sports including American football, mixed martial arts (MMA), beach tennis, and licensed motorsports.
A significant addition to the regulatory framework is the authorization of eSports for betting activities, provided operators have explicit licenses or permissions from game developers or intellectual property holders. The regulation mandates no exclusive betting operators for eSports to promote market fairness and accessibility.
Importantly, the ministry strictly prohibits betting on amateur or non-professional sports events, targeting competitions that lack official recognition from federations or confederations and ensuring that events involving athletes under 18 years old are excluded from betting markets. This aims to maintain market organization and prevent exploitation of informal or youth sports events.
Diego Bittencourt, CMO of Start Bet, highlighted that these regulations intend to eliminate market uncertainties regarding permissible betting activities, thereby helping to stimulate sustainable growth in Brazil's betting sector. Signed by Minister Paulo Henrique Perna Cordeiro, this regulation aligns with and enforces Law 14.790/2023 and the Statute of the Person with Disabilities (Law 13.146/2015).
With these clear regulatory provisions, Brazil’s sports betting market now has a defined scope, combining traditional sports expertise with emerging industries like eSports, while safeguarding athlete welfare and market integrity.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
Source articles (2)
Source comparison
Sports included for betting
Sources list different sports allowed for betting under the new regulations.
veja.abril.com.br
"The new guidelines categorize eight distinct sports, allowing bets on competitions recognized by major global organizations."
congressoemfoco.com.br
"These include sports acknowledged by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) such as football, athletics, basketball, volleyball, swimming, cycling, and judo, as well as popular international sports like American football, MMA, beach tennis, and licensed motorsport events."
Why this matters: The first source mentions eight distinct sports but does not specify them all, while the second source provides a detailed list of specific sports, including some not mentioned in the first. This discrepancy affects understanding of which sports are officially recognized for betting.