Brazil Supreme Court reviews gambling criminalization in landmark case FAST-MOVING

The Supreme Federal Court (STF) began hearing a case on the constitutionality of Brazil's 1941 Law of Contravenções Penais, which classifies the exploitation of gambling – including physical casinos, bingos, slot machines and online betting – as a contravention. Minister Luiz Fux, the rapporteur, presented the first part of his vote and the court will resume deliberations the following day. Oral arguments were made by the Ministry of Public Prosecutor of Rio Grande do Sul, represented by prosecutor Flávia Raphael Mallmann, and by the Prosecutor‑General Paulo Gonet, who emphasized the public‑health, debt‑indebtedness and organized‑crime risks linked to gambling. The judges must decide whether article 50 of the law aligns with the 1988 Constitution, a decision that could reshape Brazil's regulated betting market and affect consumer protection policies.