Neymar and Other Celebrities Face Notices Over Betting Advertising

Brazil.- 17 September 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com Espírito Santo’s Integrated Consumer Protection Centre, CINDEC, has launched a preventive initiative examining fixed-odds betting advertising and the role of celebrities and influencers in promoting the sector.

The first round of notices includes Neymar Jr. and several other prominent public figures associated with betting brands and platforms.

Celebrities Included

Those receiving notices include:

  • Neymar Jr.
  • Vini Jr.
  • Ronaldo Fenômeno.
  • Galvão Bueno.
  • Adriane Galisteu.
  • Léo Santana.
  • Luciano Huck.
  • Vanderlei Luxemburgo.
  • Casimiro Miguel.

CINDEC said the initiative may later extend to other influencers and public personalities.

Preventive Rather Than Punitive Action

The authority has emphasised that the measure is preventive at this stage rather than a sanction.

Its purpose is to raise awareness of the responsibilities attached to using public image, reputation and credibility to promote gambling products.

CINDEC Structure

The body brings together representatives from:

  • Espírito Santo Public Prosecutor’s Office.
  • Procon/ES.
  • Civil Police.
  • Public Defender’s Office.
  • State Attorney General’s Office.

The initiative therefore combines consumer protection, enforcement and legal oversight.

Recommendation Sent to Neymar

Neymar has been advised to carefully reassess contracts involving:

  • Advertising.
  • Promotion.
  • Affiliate arrangements.
  • Sponsorship.

The recommendation also highlights social, economic and public-health concerns associated with the growth of online betting.

Ten-Business-Day Deadline

The player has 10 business days from receipt of the recommendation to state whether he intends to maintain commercial agreements with fixed-odds betting companies.

His response must clarify whether those relationships will continue or be reviewed.

Requirements if Partnerships Continue

If Neymar maintains the agreements, he must demonstrate that the relevant contracts, advertisements, campaigns and promotional content comply with Brazilian rules.

The review covers both the substance of the advertising and how it is presented to consumers.

Messages That Should Be Avoided

Among CINDEC’s main recommendations is avoiding any suggestion that gambling is associated with:

  • Wealth.
  • Success.
  • Prestige.
  • Happiness.
  • A solution to financial hardship.

The concern is that betting should not be presented as an easy route to financial improvement or social status.

Presentation of Winnings

The recommendation also warns against presenting winnings in an isolated or artificial way.

Such content can potentially create a distorted impression of the likelihood of positive outcomes.

Mandatory Warnings

Advertising must comply with required warnings covering issues including:

  • Risk of addiction.
  • Potential financial losses.
  • Responsible gambling.
  • Age restrictions.

Correct presentation of these messages forms part of the regulatory framework for licensed betting advertising.

Protection of Children and Teenagers

CINDEC has placed particular emphasis on minors.

The recommendation calls for effective safeguards to reduce children’s and teenagers’ exposure to betting promotions and to prevent campaigns from using elements likely to appeal disproportionately to young audiences.

Celebrity Influence

A central element of the initiative is the effect of celebrity reputation on consumer perceptions.

CINDEC argues that when a well-known public figure promotes a betting platform, some of the trust built with their audience can transfer to the advertised service.

That increases the responsibility attached to such campaigns.

Advertising or Personal Recommendation

The authority is also considering content in which public figures present:

  • Odds.
  • Winnings.
  • Links.
  • Promotional codes.
  • Specific betting platforms.

Depending on tone and frequency, consumers may interpret such messages as personal endorsements rather than conventional advertising.

Figures Cited in the Recommendation

The document uses several figures concerning risky gambling behaviour, social costs and minors’ exposure to betting advertising.

However, the publication reporting on the measure notes that the original sources for those figures were not identified.

They should therefore be treated as figures cited by the recommendation rather than independently verified statistics.

Regulatory Context

Brazil has progressively tightened betting-advertising standards since the launch of its federally regulated market.

The rules affect not only operators but also third parties involved in campaigns, including influencers, ambassadors, affiliates and celebrities.

The broader objective is to reduce misleading messaging and overly positive portrayals of gambling.

Next Steps and Impact

Attention will now turn to the responses from Neymar and the other public figures notified.

CINDEC may assess whether their commercial relationships and advertising meet regulatory requirements and determine whether further action is necessary.

The initiative reinforces a broader trend in Brazil: enforcement is extending beyond betting operators themselves to the people who use their reach and credibility to promote them.

For celebrities and influencers, that means greater scrutiny of contracts, promotional content and the way betting is presented to large audiences.

Editó: @fonta

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