Brazil’s Supreme Court Calls 26 Participants to Debate Betting Ban
Brazil.- 28 October 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com Brazil’s Federal Supreme Court (STF) has scheduled a public hearing for 3 November 2026 at 10:00 am to examine the consequences of Provisional Measure No. 1,394/2026, which prohibited the operation, offering, intermediation and advertising of fixed-odds betting in the country.
The hearing, convened by Justice Luiz Fux, will bring together 26 participants, including representatives of the federal government, gambling industry associations, business organisations and ten football clubs, alongside the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF).
The meeting will take place as the Supreme Court considers several legal challenges concerning the constitutionality of the measure and its consequences for the regulated market.
Public Hearing Scheduled for 3 November
Luiz Fux, who is overseeing the legal proceedings concerning Brazil’s betting framework, has scheduled the hearing in the courtroom of the STF’s Second Panel.
The decision follows requests from the Office of the Attorney General of the Union (AGU), gambling industry organisations and parties involved in the proceedings.
The announcement was issued on 26 October, following the conclusion of Brazil’s electoral period.
The objective is to gather legal, economic and regulatory arguments before the Court considers further action.
Betting Prohibition Remains in Force
Provisional Measure No. 1,394/2026 introduced restrictions affecting Brazil’s fixed-odds betting industry.
The provisions prohibit commercial operations, the offering of betting products, intermediation and advertising.
The deadline established for the termination of operators’ authorisations expired on 25 October.
Although several organisations have requested suspension of the measure, the STF has not yet granted the requested interim relief.
Consequently, scheduling the hearing does not restore existing licences or reopen the regulated market.
Federal Government Will Defend the Restrictions
The federal government will be represented by the AGU and the Ministry of Finance. Brazil’s Prosecutor General has also been invited.
The AGU supports maintaining the provisional measure and has questioned the effectiveness of the previous regulatory framework, established primarily under Laws No. 13,756/2018 and 14,790/2023.
According to the government, the framework presented weaknesses involving:
- Consumer protection.
- Anti-money laundering controls.
- Regulatory supervision of operators.
- Gambling-related harm.
- Financial consequences for households.
The government maintains that these concerns justify a comprehensive reassessment of the online gambling framework.
Health Service Records Increase by 140%
Public health data form part of the government’s arguments.
According to information submitted by the AGU, records within Brazil’s Unified Health System (SUS) relating to pathological gambling and betting problems increased by 140% between 2018 and 2025.
The government has cited these figures to support its concerns about the consequences of gambling activity.
However, the statistic relates to healthcare records and does not necessarily represent an equivalent increase in the prevalence of problem gambling.
Industry Associations Seek Licence Restoration
Organisations challenging the provisional measure argue that the prohibition creates legal uncertainty and economic consequences for previously authorised operators.
The participating associations include:
- National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL).
- Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gambling (IBJR).
- National Association for Legal Certainty in Games and Betting (ANSEJA).
- Brazilian Association of State Lottery Concessionaires and Permit Holders (Abracopel).
These organisations will have an opportunity to present their arguments concerning licensing arrangements and the impact of the prohibition.
A central objective for industry representatives is to restore the authorisations previously allowing operators to participate in the regulated market.
Ten Football Clubs Join the Discussion
The hearing will also include representatives of prominent Brazilian football organisations.
The invited clubs are:
- Flamengo.
- Fluminense.
- Botafogo.
- Cruzeiro.
- São Paulo.
- Corinthians.
- Ponte Preta.
- Vitória.
- Guarani.
- Portuguesa.
The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) will also participate.
Their involvement expands the debate to the commercial consequences of the restrictions, particularly regarding sponsorship agreements with betting operators.
Impact on Sports Sponsorship Agreements
Betting companies had become important sponsors of football clubs, competitions and sports broadcasts in Brazil.
The prohibition affects the conditions under which these commercial arrangements can continue.
The hearing will allow football representatives to raise concerns regarding sponsorship revenue and existing contractual obligations.
The Brazilian Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters (Abert) will also participate, representing media companies with commercial interests connected to gambling advertising.
Business Organisations Participate
The hearing will also bring together representatives from several economic and professional sectors.
Participating organisations include the National Confederation of Commerce of Goods, Services and Tourism (CNC), the National Confederation of Industry (CNI) and the National Association of Mayors and Deputy Mayors (ANPV).
Legal associations, business organisations and the Economic Regulation Laboratory of Rio de Janeiro State University (UERJ Reg) will also contribute.
The broad range of participants will allow the Court to examine the measure’s legal, public health and economic implications.
Supreme Court Examines Constitutional Challenges
The debate forms part of several legal proceedings concerning Brazil’s gambling legislation.
The related Direct Actions of Unconstitutionality include:
- ADI 7,721.
- ADI 7,723.
- ADI 7,749.
- ADI 8,024.
- ADI 8,027.
- ADI 8,028.
- ADI 8,035.
The proceedings examine different aspects of the legal framework and the consequences of Provisional Measure No. 1,394/2026.
The hearing will provide an opportunity to submit additional information and arguments before further judicial decisions.
Possibility of a Negotiated Settlement
Alongside convening the hearing, Luiz Fux indicated that a negotiated solution could be explored.
Such an approach could create opportunities for dialogue between the government, the gambling industry and affected economic sectors.
However, no agreement has been reached and no judicial decision has altered the effects of the prohibition.
The hearing represents an opportunity for discussion rather than a final ruling on the measure’s validity.
Industry Impact and Next Steps
The 3 November hearing will be an important development in the debate surrounding Brazil’s betting industry.
The participation of public authorities, gambling associations, football clubs and business organisations will allow the consequences of the prohibition to be examined from several perspectives.
The STF will assess the arguments presented and determine whether interim relief or further proceedings are appropriate.
For now, Provisional Measure No. 1,394/2026 remains in force, and the authorisations affected by the prohibition have not been restored.
Edited by: @fonta
