Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed a provisional measure on Friday banning online betting, beginning the shutdown of a regulated industry covering fixed-odds sports wagering and virtual casino games.
The government presented the prohibition as a measure to protect families from gambling related debt and other social harms. Finance Minister Dario Durigan said betting platforms would be barred from accepting new deposits once the measure was published and took effect.
Customers may withdraw funds until 11:59 p.m. on October 5, before betting websites and applications are blocked on October 6. Operators must report unclaimed balances, identified by each customer’s CPF, Brazil’s individual taxpayer identification number to financial institutions on October 7 and 8.
Banks will return outstanding funds by October 14. Caixa Econômica Federal will handle unresolved cases from October 14 onward, ensuring that customers who miss the initial withdrawal deadline do not forfeit their money.
The measure also prohibits new advertising and sponsorship agreements. Existing campaigns must be removed by the end of October 5, potentially disrupting commercial relationships between betting operators, broadcasters, football clubs and competitions.
Only days earlier, the government was reportedly considering a narrower prohibition focused on online casinos while preserving sports betting and sponsorships. Brazil has 188 authorised operators, while licensing fees and betting taxes generated almost R$10 billion for the government in 2025. Industry representatives claimed casino products accounted for roughly three-quarters of sector revenue and warned that a ban could prompt litigation and compensation claims.
The final decision therefore represents a sharper policy reversal than initially anticipated. Lula’s government previously established a federal licensing system under Law 14,790, allowing authorised companies to offer fixed-odds bets and online games under Ministry of Finance supervision.
The provisional measure takes effect upon publication but requires congressional approval to become permanent. It remains valid initially for 60 days and may be extended once for another 60 days; without approval, it will expire.
The ban is expected to have significant consequences for Brazilian football, where betting companies are major sponsors. Industry groups may challenge the measure, while the government plans stronger enforcement against offshore platforms through payment restrictions, account blocking and the removal of illegal websites.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed a provisional measure on Friday banning online betting, beginning the shutdown of a regulated industry covering fixed-odds sports wagering and virtual casino games. The government presented the prohibition as a measure to protect families from gambling related debt and other social harms. Finance Minister Dario Durigan said