Marcos Braz Proposes Sports Betting Exemption and Club Sponsorship Transition
Brazil.- 2 October 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com Federal deputy Marcos Braz, of Rio de Janeiro’s PSDB and former Flamengo football vice-president, has filed a series of amendments to Provisional Measure 1,394/2026 aimed at narrowing Brazil’s betting ban.
The proposals seek to preserve sports betting on final outcomes and scores, maintain restrictions on online casino products and introduce a two-year transition period for certain existing sponsorship agreements between betting operators and football clubs.
Sports Betting Exemption
One of the main amendments would revise Article 1 of the Provisional Measure.
It seeks to keep fixed-odds betting authorised when limited to:
- Consolidated results.
- Final scores.
- Collective metrics from real sporting events.
Operations would remain restricted to companies duly authorised by the Federal Government.
Online Casino Ban Would Remain
Braz’s proposal would not fully restore the previous market.
It would maintain restrictions on online casinos and certain bets involving individual actions, isolated events or specific plays occurring during sporting contests.
The proposal therefore attempts to distinguish traditional sports betting from other products considered higher risk.
Two-Year Sponsorship Transition
Another amendment focuses on existing betting sponsorships held by football clubs.
It would permit the passive display of betting brands linked to current contracts for 24 months.
This would mainly cover uniforms and advertising displayed in stadiums and arenas.
Existing Contracts
The central argument is that agreements signed under the previous regulated framework should not be rendered immediately ineffective.
Brazilian clubs had already incorporated betting sponsorship revenue into budgets and multi-year commercial planning.
A longer transition would allow those arrangements to be unwound more gradually.
Statements
Marcos Braz said he could not ignore decisions directly affecting clubs, contracts, revenues and millions of supporters.
He also said reducing gambling exposure may be necessary, but argued that changes must be implemented with legal certainty and responsibility.
Ban Remains in Force
The amendments do not themselves change the current law.
Provisional Measure 1,394/2026 continues to prohibit fixed-odds betting, including sports betting and online gaming.
The proposed changes would only take effect if incorporated by the rapporteur and later approved by Congress.
Other Braz Amendments
The deputy has also submitted additional proposals linked to the same measure.
One would prohibit beneficiaries of federal direct-income programmes such as Bolsa Família from placing bets.
Congress currently records five amendments filed by Marcos Braz.
Debate Over Scope
The proposals highlight a broader congressional debate over whether different parts of the market should be treated separately.
While the original measure imposes a broad prohibition, some lawmakers favour preserving regulated sports betting while restricting online casino products.
Similar approaches are appearing in other amendments.
Impact on Football Clubs
Brazilian football is among the sectors most exposed to the new prohibition.
Many clubs rely on betting sponsorship agreements to finance sporting operations, infrastructure and other activities.
Braz’s proposed transition is designed to soften the immediate effect on those commercial relationships.
Congressional Process
The amendments will be considered by the joint committee examining the measure.
The rapporteur may accept, modify or reject them before presenting a formal report.
Any revised text would then need to advance through the remaining legislative stages.
Regulatory Context
The Provisional Measure was published on 25 September and took immediate effect.
It prohibits sports betting and online gaming, ends existing authorisations and establishes a shutdown timetable for platforms and advertising.
Clubs, operators and trade bodies continue challenging different aspects of the new framework.
Next Steps or Impact
The fate of the amendments will depend on the rapporteur and negotiations inside Congress.
If adopted, Brazil could preserve regulated sports betting under specific conditions while maintaining restrictions on online casino products.
The proposed 24-month sponsorship transition could also reduce the immediate commercial impact on Brazilian football clubs.
Editó: @fonta
