TLDR
- Brazil’s Congress extended the nationwide online gambling ban by 60 days.
- The measure could stay in force until March 4, 2027, because of the legislative recess.
- Lawmakers filed 99 amendments, and 94 remain after five were withdrawn.
- The Supreme Federal Court is reviewing four constitutional challenges to the ban.
- More than 3,500 jobs have been lost, and up to 21.6 million bettors could move offshore.
Brazil’s ban on online gambling will stay in place for at least 60 more days. The National Congress has extended Provisional Measure 1,394/2026, giving lawmakers more time to decide its fate.
Because of the upcoming legislative recess, the measure could remain in force until March 4, 2027. If Congress does not approve it by then, it will lose its legal effect.
Senate President Davi Alcolumbre signed the extension. It was published in Brazil’s Official Gazette on November 11.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva issued the measure on September 25. It suspended online sports betting, casino games and related advertising across the country.
The ban took effect right away. Licensed operators had to stop taking new bets and refund customer balances that had not yet been paid out. The measure still needs approval from Congress to become permanent law.
Lawmakers Weigh 94 Proposed Changes
Congress received 99 proposed amendments to the measure. Five were later withdrawn, leaving 94 still on the table.
Several lawmakers want to bring back regulated sports betting while keeping online casino games illegal. Others want stricter advertising rules and bans on gambling sponsorships tied to sports teams, stadiums and competitions.
Before any final vote, a joint committee of senators and deputies must review the proposal. Members have been named, but the committee has not started its work. After that review, the measure goes to both houses for a final vote.
Government officials have asked Parliament to settle the matter before the end of 2026. The new deadline, however, gives lawmakers until early March to finish.
A new campaign called Health Is Not a Gamble has also entered the debate. Backed by lawmakers and public health groups, it treats gambling harm as a public health issue and calls for tighter rules on promotions and sponsorships.
Courts, Jobs and Offshore Risk
Groups representing the gambling industry have filed four constitutional challenges against the ban. The Supreme Federal Court is examining whether the government could impose such broad limits through a provisional measure.
Justice Luiz Fux has suspended lower court cases against the ban until the Supreme Court rules. He acted at the request of the Office of the Prosecutor General, which wanted to avoid conflicting decisions in different regions.
Some operators had won temporary court orders allowing them to keep running before the suspension. Those orders were later overturned.
The shutdown has hit workers in the sector. Earlier reports said more than 3,500 people lost their jobs, with thousands more placed on collective leave.
Industry groups warn that removing licensed operators could drive customers to offshore websites. Research firm Blask estimated that up to 21.6 million Brazilian bettors could move to unregulated platforms.
The government says the limits are needed to address financial and social problems linked to gambling. It estimates that Brazilian households spend BRL 62.5 billion ($11.4 billion) on online betting in 2025.
The ban remains in force while Congress reviews the measure and the Supreme Court weighs its legality. Lawmakers have until March 4, 2027, to act before the measure expires.
