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Brazil bans online betting and casinos via presidential decree
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has signed Provisional Measure No. 1,394, effectively banning fixed-odds betting, online casinos, and their advertising across Brazil. The measure, which the President described as a necessary action to combat gambling addiction and household debt, prohibits the exploration, offering, intermediation, and advertising of these services in both physical and virtual environments.
The ban includes a strict timeline for the industry: new deposits are prohibited immediately, and users have until 23:59 on October 5 to voluntarily withdraw remaining balances. By October 6, betting sites and apps must cease operations. Between October 9 and 14, financial institutions are required to return any remaining funds to bettors, with Caixa Econômica Federal acting as a fallback for unresolved cases.
The decision has sparked significant backlash from the sports sector. Major football clubs, including Flamengo and Corinthians, have expressed concern that the loss of massive sponsorship revenue will destabilize their financial structures. In response, the government plans to meet with Serie A club executives to discuss potential solutions to minimize economic damage. Additionally, the Executive is preparing a bill to criminalize the illegal operation of online betting, with proposed prison sentences ranging from four to six years.
Entities
Brazil · Brazilian Congress · Caixa Econômica Federal · CazeTV · Corinthians · Darío Durigan · Flamengo · Government of Brazil · Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva · Palmeiras · Sportingbet · Unified Health System
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 8 SOURCES] President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed Provisional Measure No. 1.394 to end betting activities in Brazil. www.spacemoney.com.br · www.abcmais.com · ultimosegundo.ig.com.br · www.infomoney.com.br · portalnine.com.br · +2 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Users have until 11:59 PM on October 5 to voluntarily withdraw funds from betting platforms. www.spacemoney.com.br · www.abcmais.com · ultimosegundo.ig.com.br · www.infomoney.com.br · portalnine.com.br · +2 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Requests to the Unified Health System (SUS) related to pathological gambling rose approximately 140% between 2018 and 2025. www.spacemoney.com.br
- [● 7 SOURCES] Financial institutions are scheduled to return remaining balances to bettors between October 9 and October 14. www.spacemoney.com.br · www.abcmais.com · ultimosegundo.ig.com.br · www.infomoney.com.br · portalnine.com.br · +1 more
- [● 8 SOURCES] Betting websites and applications must cease operations starting October 6. www.spacemoney.com.br · www.abcmais.com · ultimosegundo.ig.com.br · www.infomoney.com.br · portalnine.com.br · +2 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The government has granted 85 licenses for fixed-odds betting, totaling R$ 2.55 billion in fees.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The social cost linked to gambling is projected to be R$ 38.8 billion annually. www.spacemoney.com.br
- [● 5 SOURCES] Companies will not be entitled to compensation for lost profits, investments, or the return of license fees. www.abcmais.com · portalnine.com.br · eurio.com.br · www.infomoney.com.br
- [● 2 SOURCES] Individuals seeking to make money should pursue honest means rather than gambling. www.vitrinedocariri.com.br · www.cartacapital.com.br
- [○ 1 SOURCE] All betting websites are scheduled to be taken offline on October 6. www.cartacapital.com.br
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Brazilian families lost 62.5 billion reais to betting platforms in 2025, accounting for the difference between transfers and prizes received. www.cartacapital.com.br
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Operating betting services can lead to 4 to 6 years of imprisonment. horadopovo.com.br