TLDR
- Brazil launched the “Novo Desenrola” debt relief program on May 9, 2026, targeting debt tied to online betting
- New rules ban credit operations linked to placing bets, closing loopholes in the Pix payment system
- As of May 15, major banks Bradesco and Banco do Brasil still allowed credit-based betting transactions
- Brazilian household debt reached 80.4%, the highest level since tracking began in 2010
- Enforcement faces challenges because betting operators say they cannot tell if incoming Pix payments are credit-based
The Brazilian government has rolled out a new debt relief program that takes direct aim at the link between online gambling and rising consumer debt across the country.
The program, called “Novo Desenrola,” was introduced on May 9, 2026. It includes a provision under Article 16 that bans the use of credit operations directly tied to transferring money for placing bets.
The rule targets a loophole in Brazil’s Pix payment system. Gamblers have been using credit-based Pix transactions to fund deposits with betting operators, effectively borrowing money to gamble.
How Credit-Based Betting Payments Work
The process involves a bank running a transaction from a customer’s credit card, adding a service fee, and sending the money to a recipient through Pix. The recipient gets paid right away, but the borrower must repay the debt later, often with interest.
A second method involves personal loans taken from banks and sent directly to betting platforms.
The term “Pix credit” is not officially recognized. The product is not regulated by either the Central Bank or the government.
A check by Folha de S.Paulo found that as of May 15, two of Brazil’s largest banks, Bradesco and Banco do Brasil, still allowed credit transactions for betting purposes. The check covered the apps of the country’s 10 biggest financial institutions.
The backdrop to this issue is a record level of household debt. According to the CNC, 80.4% of Brazilians currently carry debt. That is the highest figure since the data series began in 2010.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva spoke about the issue on April 30, 2026. He said it is unfair that women are forced to earn extra income to help men pay off gambling debts.
Enforcement Gaps Remain a Challenge
Brazil’s betting law banning postpaid payments took effect in January 2025. It is based on SPA Ordinance 615, signed in 2024. Under this law, betting operators cannot accept credit cards or other postpaid methods for deposits.
Most banks now refuse to process Pix credit transactions when the recipient’s company ID matches a licensed betting platform. Licensed operators process deposits using their own Pix QR codes from corporate accounts.
Companies like Nubank and PicPay have confirmed they block credit-based transactions with betting operators. They also warn customers about the risk of losses.
However, several gaps in enforcement remain. The Central Bank has not explained how it plans to monitor Pix credit operations under the new law.
The SPA, which oversees betting operators, does not have the authority to penalize banks. Lawyer José Francisco Manssur pointed out this gap.
He said Brazilian authorities need to adopt rules giving the SPA power to penalize operator suppliers, not just operators themselves. He described the current situation as a regulatory vacuum.
Betting companies say the problem is on the technical side. They argue they cannot determine whether an incoming Pix payment was funded by credit.
The IBJR, a betting industry group, said there is no way for operators to identify or block credit-funded Pix transactions because they arrive looking like regular payments.
The enforcement challenge leaves the new ban partially dependent on banks choosing to comply, with no clear mechanism to ensure all financial institutions follow through.
