Brazilian Senate to Debate Bill Banning Betting Advertising
Brazil.- 28 August 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com Senator Alessandro Vieira has requested a public hearing to discuss Bill 2,470/2026, which seeks to prohibit betting advertising in Brazil, including sponsorship of sports teams.
Vieira is rapporteur for the proposal in the Senate’s Committee on Science, Technology, Innovation, Communication and Information, where the legislation is awaiting further consideration.
Public Hearing
The senator intends to bring together representatives from the Executive Branch, specialists and organisations involved in health, consumer protection and betting.
The objective will be to examine the potential consequences of the proposed restrictions before the bill advances further through the legislative process.
The committee must still approve the request before the hearing can be held.
Advertising Ban
Bill 2,470/2026 proposes a broad prohibition on advertising by betting operators.
The restriction would also cover sports sponsorship, currently one of the main commercial channels used by operators to build brand visibility in Brazil.
The measure could therefore have a significant impact on clubs, competitions and businesses with existing betting partnerships.
Risk Assessments for Betting Markets
The bill goes beyond advertising restrictions.
It would also require operators to conduct risk assessments covering events and subjects used for fixed-odds betting markets.
The provision is intended to introduce a formal assessment of which products may be commercially offered within the regulated system.
Health Ministry Involvement
The availability of certain betting markets would be subject to prior approval from the Ministry of Health.
The ministry could also order the suspension or prohibition of the commercial exploitation of a specific event.
This would give the health authority a direct role in assessing certain gambling products.
Proposed Participants
Vieira has proposed inviting representatives from a range of public bodies and organisations.
These include:
- Miguel Lago, Executive Director of the Institute for Health Policy Studies.
- Marcello Kimati Dias, Director of the Department of Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs at the Ministry of Health.
- Daniele Correa Cardoso, Secretary of Prizes and Betting at the Ministry of Finance.
- Ricardo Wada, National Consumer Secretary at the Ministry of Justice.
- Rafael Zanatta, Executive Director of Data Privacy Brasil.
- Maria Cristina Hoffman, national mental-health consultant for PAHO/WHO.
- A representative of the National Confederation of Trade in Goods, Services and Tourism.
- A representative of the Betting and Fantasy Sports Association.
- A representative of the Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming.
Proportionality of Restrictions
One of the main issues Vieira wants examined is the effectiveness and proportionality of advertising and sponsorship restrictions.
The hearing would also consider appropriate criteria for identifying and protecting people at greater risk of gambling-related harm.
Scientific evidence would be expected to inform the assessment of risks associated with different forms of gambling.
Risk of Migration to Illegal Market
Another issue will be the potential consequence of removing certain products from the authorised market.
Vieira wants the hearing to examine whether excessive restrictions could encourage players to migrate towards unlicensed platforms.
Channelisation towards licensed operators has become one of the central issues in Brazil’s betting-policy debate.
Cross-Party Support
The bill carries the signatures of senators from different political groups.
Sponsors include:
- Damares Alves.
- Astronauta Marcos Pontes.
- Teresa Leitão.
- Hamilton Mourão.
- Humberto Costa.
- Izalci Lucas.
- Otto Alencar.
The group reflects an unusual degree of cross-party convergence around a more restrictive approach to betting.
Bill Introduced in May
Bill 2,470/2026 was introduced in May 2026.
It is currently being considered by the Senate Committee on Science, Technology, Innovation, Communication and Information.
The proposed public hearing could become one of the main stages of debate before Vieira presents his final position as rapporteur.
Industry Context
Brazil has operated a federally regulated fixed-odds betting market since January 2025.
Political pressure over advertising, sponsorship and consumer protection increased significantly during 2026.
Several bills currently before Congress range from additional commercial restrictions to complete prohibition of the market.
Next Steps or Impact
The committee must first approve Alessandro Vieira’s request.
If the hearing is convened, Government representatives, specialists and industry organisations will be able to publicly debate the implications of Bill 2,470/2026.
Its outcome could influence whether the Senate moves towards a broad ban on betting advertising and sponsorship or adopts amendments allowing some commercial channels to continue under stricter controls.
Editó: @fonta
