Regulatory Radar | Fixed-Odds Betting – Ed. 16

Week of September 7 to 11, 2026

This week was driven less by published rules and more by political signals. No major new regulation from the SPA/MF appeared in the Official Gazette, but pressure on betting advertising built up on several fronts at once: the Executive, Congress, the Central Bank and municipalities. Below are the points that deserve your attention.

Government weighs a provisional measure to restrict betting

Major news outlets reported this week that the Executive is considering issuing a provisional measure (MP) to tighten the rules for betting. An MP would take effect almost immediately and remain in force for 60 days, renewable. The reports do not rule out even a ban on certain segments, such as online casino. As of this edition, no text had been published, so this is still a signal, not a done deal.

What this means: An MP changes the rules overnight, without the debate time of a bill. It is worth watching the Official Gazette and the Presidency closely over the coming days and reviewing, right away, any marketing and product plans that rely on segments at risk.

Congress accelerates bills against betting advertising

In the Senate, a bill broadening advertising restrictions – targeting TV, football and influencers – advanced in committee and heads to the floor. Another, nicknamed “Brazil against betting,” was approved in committee and still requires a further review that may bypass the floor; the rapporteur proposes criminalizing the promotion of illegal betting by influencers. With Congress emptying out during the election period, however, concrete progress in the Senate is likely to wait until after the October elections. In the lower house, several total-advertising-ban bills were received and bundled to move together. The momentum comes from studies released this week on bettor indebtedness and on betting among students – figures that associations of the legal market, such as ANJL, dispute, attributing much of the problem to the illegal market. On the self-regulation front, CONAR and ABRAJOGO signed an agreement to strengthen advertising rules.

What this means: Advertising is currently the sector’s most exposed flank. Even if not every bill advances, the direction is clear: more restriction. Reviewing sponsorship, media and influencer contracts now avoids surprises. And mind how the data is used: inflated figures about the illegal market tend to become an argument for more tax and more restriction, so the methodology behind them matters.

STF: risk of equating betting with games of chance stays on the radar

Sector reports indicate that the Supreme Court (STF) may resume, by November, cases discussing the validity of the Betting Law and the line between betting and games of chance. Thousands of cases are on hold awaiting this ruling. There is still no confirmed date on the court’s official docket, so we treat it as a possibility to monitor.

What this means: This is the discussion with the greatest systemic impact on the horizon. An unfavorable reading could reach the very foundation of the regulated market. For now it is a scenario to follow, not a done deal, but it is worth mapping the business’s exposure to this risk.

States and municipalities move on advertising, and a jurisdiction dispute grows

Niterói published a decree banning betting advertising in public spaces and in city events and campaigns. At the state level, ANJL is challenging before the STF a Minas Gerais decree that restricts betting advertising, arguing that the power to regulate the matter belongs to the Union. Similar moves are likely to multiply across the country.

What this means: The sector now faces a patchwork of local rules that changes from city to city and state to state. For anyone running a national campaign, that means cost and compliance risk. The argument that only the Union may legislate on betting is the main line of defense, and the outcome at the STF may become a reference for the other cases.

Central Bank targets credit and betting ads inside financial apps

The Central Bank signaled that it is preparing rules to curb the improper use of credit for betting, including betting advertising inside the apps of banks and fintechs. The authority pointed to inconsistency at financial institutions that, at the same time, offer credit and advertise betting.

What this means: The topic is no longer just for the betting regulator and now enters the financial system’s radar. Fintechs, banks and payment providers that deal with the sector should review partnerships, advertising channels and credit policies before the rule comes out.

Courts reinforce liability for self-exclusion failures

A state court ordered an operator to pay damages for keeping a bettor’s account active after he had already requested self-exclusion through the government’s central system. The decision reversed an earlier ruling in the company’s favor. Similar cases, ordering the return of amounts wagered, have been appearing in other states.

What this means: Meeting the self-exclusion blocking deadline has become a sensitive litigation point. Failures in the system – keeping an account active, accepting bets, or continuing to send advertising to someone who self-excluded – are generating adverse rulings. It is worth auditing internal blocking workflows and response times to the central system.

Looking ahead to next week

• Watch the Official Gazette and the Presidency: the possible provisional measure on betting could come out at any moment.
• In the Senate, the “Brazil against betting” bill should only gain traction after the October elections, in the year-end concentrated-effort session, as Congress empties out during the election period and committees are largely stalled now.
• At the STF, the possible resumption, by November, of the ruling on the validity of the Betting Law remains open.

Our team is available to discuss the impact of any of these topics on your business.

This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The analyses reflect the team’s understanding as of the publication date and may be revised in light of regulatory or case-law developments. For guidance on specific situations, please consult a member of the team. © Souto, Correa Advogados – Gaming & Betting Practice.