ANJL Takes Minas Gerais Betting Ad Restrictions to Brazil’s Supreme Court
Brazil.- 10 September 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com The Associação Nacional de Jogos e Loterias has filed a Direct Action of Unconstitutionality before Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court challenging Minas Gerais Decree No. 49,279, which restricts online betting advertising in public spaces across the state.
The measure was published in August by Governor Mateus Simões and applies to venues including the Mineirão Stadium.
Justice Flávio Dino has been appointed rapporteur for the case.
ANJL Challenges State Authority
The association’s main argument is that Minas Gerais has entered an area where legislative authority belongs exclusively to the Federal Government.
ANJL argues that Brazil’s Constitution reserves federal legislative powers over consortium and lottery systems, which include lottery activities, as well as commercial advertising.
It therefore believes rules governing fixed-odds betting and its promotion must respect this constitutional division of powers.
Decree Mechanism Challenged
The association also argues that the measure exceeds the limits of the state Executive’s regulatory authority.
According to its filing, a matter subject to statutory law should not be altered through an Executive decree issued at state level.
ANJL believes this approach breaches the principle of legality by imposing additional restrictions on an activity already regulated under federal legislation.
Supreme Court Precedents
ANJL President Plínio Lemos Jorge referred to the joint rulings involving ADPFs No. 492 and 493 and ADI No. 4,986.
In those cases, Brazil’s Supreme Court differentiated between states’ administrative authority to operate lottery services and the Federal Government’s exclusive legislative powers.
The association considers that distinction central to the current dispute with Minas Gerais.
Advertising in Public Spaces
Decree No. 49,279 prohibits online betting advertising across public spaces within its state-level scope.
The Mineirão Stadium is among the venues affected.
The Supreme Court dispute will now address whether Minas Gerais can impose additional advertising restrictions within a sector governed by federal regulation.
Statements
Plínio Lemos Jorge said the Supreme Court has already made a clear distinction between state administrative authority over lottery operations and the Federal Government’s exclusive legislative powers.
The ANJL president argues that individual states should not be able to use decrees to create rules that modify or restrict the federal framework governing fixed-odds betting and advertising.
He also maintains that any future rules affecting betting operations or commercial communications should respect both the federal regulatory framework and Brazil’s constitutional allocation of powers.
Cooperation with Federal Government
ANJL also highlighted several initiatives developed alongside federal authorities in its court filing.
The association referenced Technical Cooperation Agreement No. 4/2025, signed with the Ministry of Finance through the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting and with the National Telecommunications Agency.
The agreement aims to strengthen identification and enforcement against illegal betting activity in Brazil.
Tackling the Illegal Market
The cooperation provides for tools designed to improve digital enforcement.
Measures include:
- Technical analysis.
- Blocking irregular websites and applications.
- Identifying illegal practices.
- Studying cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
- Developing specialist laboratories.
ANJL presents this cooperation as evidence of the need for coordinated action between federal authorities and the regulated market.
Agreement with Sports Ministry
The association also maintains a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Sport.
The initiative provides for national actions aimed at preventing match manipulation and promoting Responsible Gambling practices.
Areas of work include:
- Educational campaigns.
- Information sharing.
- Technical training.
- Dissemination of best practices.
- Development of voluntary codes of conduct.
Regulatory Coordination
ANJL believes these agreements demonstrate that issues such as advertising, consumer protection and enforcement against illegal operators require institutional coordination.
The association argues that measures introduced by individual states should not create rules that conflict with the national framework.
The issue is becoming increasingly relevant as local governments consider their own initiatives affecting betting and advertising.
Industry Context
Brazil has operated a federally regulated fixed-odds betting and authorised online gaming market since 2025.
The consolidation of this framework is generating new questions over the extent to which states and municipalities can introduce their own requirements alongside national legislation.
Advertising has emerged as one of the main areas of tension, particularly where local authorities seek additional restrictions in public, sporting or institutional spaces.
Next Steps or Impact
Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court will now consider ANJL’s challenge and determine the constitutionality of Decree No. 49,279.
Justice Flávio Dino will serve as rapporteur.
The ruling could have implications beyond Minas Gerais, particularly if the Supreme Court further defines the boundaries of state powers in relation to federal betting regulation.
A decision could also influence future local initiatives designed to restrict betting advertising, commercial exposure or operations elsewhere in Brazil.
Editó: @fonta
