Brazil Begins Betting Shutdown and Activates Customer Refund Timetable
Brazil.- 7 October 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com Brazil entered a new stage in the implementation of Provisional Measure 1,394/2026 on 6 October, with fixed-odds betting websites and applications now required to become unavailable.
The deadline for customers to voluntarily withdraw their balances expired at 11:59pm on 5 October. Attention now turns to the automatic repayment process for funds still held on betting platforms.
Websites and Apps Must Go Offline
From 6 October, platforms previously offering sports betting and online gaming under Brazil’s fixed-odds framework are required to become unavailable to users in the country.
The measure applies both to previously authorised operators and to offshore businesses targeting consumers located in Brazil.
Voluntary Withdrawal Period Ends
Until the end of 5 October, customers could access their accounts and directly request withdrawals of available funds.
That window has now closed.
Balances not voluntarily withdrawn will instead be processed through the repayment mechanism established by the Government.
Operators Must Report Remaining Balances
On 6 and 7 October, betting companies must provide financial institutions with details of the funds remaining in each customer account.
Information must include:
- The individual balance.
- The customer’s CPF identification.
- The bank account from which deposits originated.
The process is designed to enable banks to identify each account holder and return the appropriate funds.
Refunds From 9 to 14 October
Financial institutions must repay outstanding customer balances between 9 and 14 October.
The process will apply automatically to users who did not withdraw their funds during the voluntary phase.
Caixa as a Final Backstop
From 14 October, Caixa Econômica Federal may intervene where operational obstacles prevent financial institutions from completing customer repayments.
The Government has reiterated that all outstanding balances remain the property of bettors.
Blocking and Redirection
Authorities have also begun implementing access restrictions across betting platforms.
Users attempting to visit certain domains may be redirected to the official Brasil sem Bets portal, which provides information on the prohibition, customer repayments and channels for reporting illegal operators.
Industry Challenge
ANJL and IBJR have challenged the website redirection requirement before Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court.
The associations argue that a full redirect could interfere with services still required during the shutdown period, including customer support and balance repayments.
The challenge remains under judicial consideration and does not by itself alter the existing timetable.
More Than BRL1.4 Billion Under Monitoring
In the Government’s latest update ahead of the shutdown, around BRL1.453 billion remained in customer accounts.
The money was spread across approximately 28.65 million CPFs with positive balances.
The total amount held on betting platforms had already fallen by close to 31% since late September.
Illegal Market Enforcement
The regulated-market shutdown is being accompanied by stronger enforcement against illegal operators.
Federal authorities are working on domain blocking, disruption of payment channels and removal of advertising connected with unauthorised betting businesses.
Regulatory Context
Provisional Measure 1,394/2026 banned the operation, offering, intermediation and advertising of fixed-odds betting throughout Brazil.
The measure began taking effect following publication on 25 September and remains under consideration by the National Congress.
Next Steps or Impact
The immediate focus will be on completing customer repayments and ensuring betting platforms remain unavailable.
At the same time, legislative and judicial challenges surrounding the Provisional Measure will continue, while the Government increases enforcement against illegal operators.
6 October therefore marks the effective beginning of the operational shutdown of Brazil’s fixed-odds betting market.
Editó: @fonta
