Brazil: Congress Receives 97 Amendments to Online Betting Ban
Brazil.- 16 October 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com Brazil’s National Congress has received 97 amendments to Provisional Measure (MP) 1,394/2026, which prohibits fixed-odds betting and online casino gaming across the country.
The submission deadline closed on 13 October 2026. Five amendments were subsequently withdrawn, leaving 92 proposals for consideration by a joint congressional committee.
Submitted by 18 members of the Chamber of Deputies and six senators, the amendments propose alternatives to the complete prohibition, ranging from restoring the regulated market to allowing selected forms of sports betting.
Proposals to Restore Regulated Gambling
One of the principal amendments was submitted by Mauricio Neves (PP-SP), who proposes reinstating the gambling licences terminated under the provisional measure.
His proposal would replace the prohibition with stricter regulatory requirements, including:
- Tighter advertising restrictions.
- Enhanced responsible gambling measures.
- Identifying bettors whose expenditure is inconsistent with their income.
- Removing illegal gambling advertisements within 48 hours.
Other lawmakers have proposed allowing existing licences to remain valid until their original expiry dates, seeking to preserve licensed gambling operations.
Different Approaches to Sports Betting and Online Casinos
Several amendments propose distinguishing sports betting from online casino gaming.
Senator Astronauta Marcos Pontes (PL-SP) has submitted a proposal to restore authorised sports betting while maintaining restrictions on online slots and other virtual casino games.
Meanwhile, Marcos Braz (PSDB-RJ) proposes allowing wagers on sporting results and final scores while prohibiting slots and bets on individual match events, such as cards, corners and penalties.
Other proposed changes address sports sponsorships, funding for healthcare and public security, player protection and potential compensation for businesses that previously paid licensing fees.
Legislative Timetable and Legal Challenges
The joint committee responsible for reviewing the amendments was designated on 30 September, but has not yet begun operating.
Key legislative dates include:
- 9 November: the provisional measure begins blocking Congress’s legislative agenda.
- 23 November: initial expiry date of the measure.
- Possible extension: an additional 60 days.
If the measure is not approved within the applicable constitutional deadlines, it will lose its validity.
Separately, Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court (STF) is examining legal challenges to the prohibition, with Justice Luiz Fux overseeing the proceedings.
Next Steps and Impact
The 92 pending amendments highlight the different positions within Brazil’s Congress concerning the future of regulated gambling.
While some proposals seek to restore the licensed market, others would permit sports betting while maintaining restrictions on online casinos.
The amendments do not automatically change the existing prohibition and must complete the legislative process.
Congress’s eventual decision will have significant implications for gambling licences, operators, sports sponsorship agreements and betting-related tax revenue in Brazil.
Editó: @fonta
