Brazilian football clubs threaten strike over betting ban

Brazilian football clubs are threatening to strike and paralyze the Brasileirão championship to protest a government provisional measure that prohibits fixed-odds betting. The move follows the cancellation of a meeting at the Ministry of Sports, which clubs interpreted as a reaction to the sudden loss of major sponsorship revenues.

To mitigate the financial crisis, the federal government is preparing a credit line of up to R$ 20 billion through BNDES. This program, intended to assist Série A and B teams, would offer subsidized interest rates with up to 20-year terms and a two-year grace period. The ban significantly impacts the industry; for example, betting sponsorships accounted for 34% of marketing revenue for the top 20 clubs in 2025.

Clubs such as Flamengo, Corinthians, and Grêmio have expressed severe concern regarding budget deficits and contract obligations. While the government seeks to stabilize the sector, critics argue the ban could foster an illegal market and cause significant fiscal losses for the Treasury.