ANJL and IBJR Ask STF to Suspend Brazil’s Betting Ban
Brazil – 30 September 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com – The Associação Nacional de Jogos e Loterias (ANJL) and the Instituto Brasileiro de Jogo Responsável (IBJR) have asked Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court (STF) to immediately suspend the effects of Provisional Measure 1,394/2026, which banned fixed-odds betting in Brazil.
The organisations filed a submission concerning a supervening event within constitutional challenges already pending before the Court, arguing that the measure presents constitutional flaws and creates legal uncertainty for companies that had previously been authorised to operate.
Request for Immediate Suspension
ANJL and IBJR have asked the STF to suspend the effects of the Provisional Measure while the merits of the case are considered.
The aim is to prevent the shutdown timetable from progressing before a final judicial decision is reached.
Under the ban, betting websites and applications are due to become unavailable from 6 October.
Public Authorities Covered by the Request
The associations have also asked that several public authorities temporarily refrain from taking enforcement measures against authorised companies.
The request covers:
- Ministry of Finance.
- Ministry of Justice.
- Anatel.
- Central Bank of Brazil.
- Caixa Econômica Federal.
- Brazilian Internet Steering Committee.
The application seeks to prevent the cancellation of authorisations, website blocking, financial restrictions and other measures while the STF considers the request for interim relief.
Luiz Fux as Rapporteur
The petition was submitted to Justice Luiz Fux, rapporteur for ADIs 7,721, 7,723 and 7,749.
ANJL and IBJR already participate as amici curiae in those proceedings and intend to use the existing cases to challenge the new regulatory scenario.
Argument Over Lack of Urgency
One of the main arguments is that the Provisional Measure would not meet the constitutional requirement of urgency.
The associations argue that no new event occurred that would justify the immediate termination of a regulated market that had been authorised by the State itself.
The constitutionality of this argument will have to be assessed by the STF.
Legal Certainty
The organisations also question the impact on companies that paid licence fees and made investments in order to operate within the federal regulatory framework.
The regulated market became fully operational in January 2025, and licences had been granted for five-year periods.
The early termination of those authorisations has therefore become one of the central points of the legal dispute.
ANJL Files Its Own ADI
In addition to the joint submission, ANJL filed a specific Direct Action of Unconstitutionality (ADI) against the Provisional Measure.
The association is asking the Supreme Court to suspend the measure and declare constitutional the laws that enabled the creation and regulation of Brazil’s fixed-odds betting market.
AGU’s Position
Brazil’s Office of the Attorney General (AGU) asked Justice Luiz Fux for 72 hours to submit the Government’s defence.
The request is procedural and does not yet represent a decision on the merits of the dispute.
So far, the STF has not publicly granted the requested suspension.
Shutdown Timetable Remains in Force
Unless a new judicial decision is issued, the Provisional Measure remains in effect.
Companies may no longer accept new deposits, while players can withdraw their funds until 5 October.
From 6 October, the official timetable provides for the blocking of betting websites and applications.
Industry Context
The legal dispute comes just days after the Government banned a regulated market that had become fully operational less than two years earlier.
The decision has prompted reactions from operators, associations, suppliers and commercial partners.
The debate is now taking place simultaneously before the STF and Congress.
Next Steps and Potential Impact
The first major development will be Luiz Fux’s response to the request for interim relief after receiving the AGU’s submission.
If the STF grants the suspension, the shutdown timetable could be halted while the constitutionality of the Provisional Measure is considered.
If no judicial measure is issued before 6 October, the timetable established by the Government will remain in force.
The case has therefore become the main judicial dispute concerning the immediate future of Brazil’s betting market.
Edited by: @fonta
