Brazil Trade Bodies Ask Supreme Court to Suspend Betting Ban
Brazil.- 30 September 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com The National Association of Games and Lotteries, ANJL, and the Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming, IBJR, have asked Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court, STF, to immediately suspend Provisional Measure 1,394/2026, which banned fixed-odds betting nationwide.
The organisations filed a Statement on Supervening Fact within existing constitutional proceedings and argue that the measure raises constitutional concerns and creates legal uncertainty for previously licensed companies.
Immediate Suspension Requested
ANJL and IBJR are seeking an injunction suspending the effects of the Provisional Measure while the Court considers the wider case.
Their objective is to prevent the shutdown timetable from being completed before a definitive judicial ruling.
Under the current schedule, betting websites and applications are due to become unavailable from 6 October.
Public Authorities Included
The associations also asked that several public bodies be prevented temporarily from enforcing the prohibition against authorised businesses.
The request covers:
- Ministry of Finance.
- Ministry of Justice.
- Anatel.
- Central Bank.
- Caixa Econômica Federal.
- Brazilian Internet Steering Committee.
The organisations want to prevent licence cancellation, website blocking, payment restrictions and related enforcement while the injunction is considered.
Luiz Fux as Rapporteur
The request was directed to Supreme Court Justice Luiz Fux, rapporteur for ADIs 7,721, 7,723 and 7,749.
ANJL and IBJR already participate in those proceedings as amici curiae and are using them to raise arguments linked to the new prohibition.
Urgency Requirement Challenged
One of the associations’ key arguments is that the Provisional Measure does not satisfy the constitutional requirement of urgency.
They maintain that there was no new event justifying the immediate termination of a regulated market previously authorised by the state.
That argument remains for the STF to assess.
Legal Certainty
The trade bodies also point to the impact on companies that paid authorisation fees and invested to operate within the federal framework.
Brazil’s fully regulated market began in January 2025 and licences had been intended to last five years.
The early termination has therefore become a central legal issue.
Separate ANJL Constitutional Action
In addition to the joint filing, ANJL has also submitted its own Direct Action of Unconstitutionality against the measure.
The association is seeking suspension of the ban and confirmation of the constitutionality of the laws that created Brazil’s regulated fixed-odds betting market.
Government Response
Brazil’s Attorney General’s Office, AGU, asked Justice Luiz Fux for 72 hours to respond to the challenge.
The request is procedural and does not itself determine the merits of the case.
At the time of writing, the STF had not publicly granted the requested suspension.
Current Timetable Remains
Unless a new court order changes the position, the Provisional Measure remains effective.
Operators cannot accept new deposits and customers may withdraw balances until 5 October.
The Government’s timetable calls for websites and applications to be blocked from 6 October.
Industry Context
The legal challenge comes only days after the Government banned a regulated market that had been fully operational for less than two years.
The decision has triggered reactions from operators, trade bodies, suppliers and commercial partners.
The future of the sector is now being debated simultaneously before the Supreme Court and Congress.
Next Steps or Impact
The next major development will be Luiz Fux’s response to the request for interim relief after the AGU submits its arguments.
If the Court grants a suspension, the shutdown timetable could be paused while the constitutionality of the measure is examined.
If no court order is issued before 6 October, the Government’s existing closure schedule remains in effect.
The case has therefore become the principal legal battle over the immediate future of Brazil’s betting market.
Editó: @fonta
