TLDR
- Brazil’s ban on fixed-odds betting has not cleared its first step in Congress.
- No committee president or rapporteur has been named, leaving 94 amendments unreviewed.
- The government wants the ban approved by December 20.
- The measure could expire on March 4, 2027, if Congress does not approve it.
- Brazil’s Supreme Court will hold a hearing on the ban on November 3.
Brazil’s ban on fixed-odds betting has not yet cleared its first step in Congress. The government wants the measure approved by December 20, but delays could push it past that date.
The ban is known as Provisional Measure 1.394/2026. Congress’s website lists it as “awaiting the establishment of the committee.”
Committee Still Not Formed
Members of the committee have been nominated. However, no president or rapporteur has been named yet.
Without a rapporteur, lawmakers cannot review the amendments filed to the measure. There are currently 94 amendments waiting.
Lawmakers first submitted 99 amendments. Five of those were later withdrawn.
Senator Dr. Hiran has proposed limiting betting to real sporting events. His change would exclude “tigrinho” and other games of chance.
Representative Julio Arcoverde has a different proposal. He wants the ban to apply only to unauthorized operators, with no refunds of concession fees or compensation.
Senator Sergeant Reginauro and Representative Captain Alden were among the most active lawmakers. Each of them filed 17 amendments.
Government Sets December Deadline
Institutional Relations Minister José Guimarães spoke about the plan on Tuesday, October 27. He said the government wants to pass the betting measure before December 20.
He also named two other priorities for the same deadline. These are the Public Security Constitutional Amendment and the Zero Fare Constitutional Amendment for public transportation.
“If we vote on these three major agendas, we will already be satisfied,” Guimarães said. He added, “We will not give up on this.”
The measure enters a fast-track process on November 9. From that date, it will block the agenda of the chamber reviewing it.
Its first 60-day period ends on November 23. An automatic extension follows.
Congress goes on recess from December 23 to February 1, and the legislative clock stops during that time. BNLData calculates the measure will expire on March 4, 2027, if it is not approved.
The ban would also end federal revenue from betting operators. It would cut funds set aside under Law 14.790/2023 for sports, tourism and the National Public Security Fund.
Congress is also reviewing the 2027 budget, which was submitted on August 31. Mandatory spending makes up 91.7% of federal spending, leaving 8.3% for investments and public services.
The measure is also being reviewed by the courts. Supreme Federal Court Justice Luiz Fux, who upheld the ban’s validity, will hold a hearing on November 3.
Government representatives, gambling companies and football clubs are set to take part. The ban remains in force while the process continues.
