Brazil bans fixed-odds betting and online gambling nationwide

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed a provisional measure banning fixed-odds betting nationwide in Brazil. The order prohibits the operation, intermediation, offering, and advertising of sports betting and online games, disrupting the licensing framework that had been in place since January 2025.

This regulatory shift has created significant uncertainty for online casino startups, which previously viewed Brazil as a major Latin American market. The measure is currently awaiting a decision from Congress to determine its future.

A survey conducted by Sebrae among 1,028 micro and small business owners indicates that 66% support the prohibition of online betting. The study found that 26% of entrepreneurs associate a reduction in their business revenue over the last 12 months with the rise of betting platforms. Additionally, 48% of respondents noticed changes in customer behavior, with 33% noting a decrease in available funds for purchases due to betting activities.