Brazil's Senate Committee on Science and Technology has approved the 'Brazil Against Betting' bill, which would dismantle the commercial framework of the country's regulated online gambling market. Senator Damares Alves, chair of the committee, tabled the draft alongside six co-authors. The committee granted urgency status, fast-tracking the bill for a full Senate vote. A parallel bill has been submitted to the lower house of Congress.
The draft bans betting advertising on television, radio, press, outdoor media, streaming services, podcasts, social networks, video platforms and search engines. Targeted ads, email campaigns, push notifications, affiliate marketing and tipster activity would all be prohibited. Operators would be barred from offering bonuses, free bets, cashback, free spins and loyalty programmes.
The ban extends to sponsorship of clubs, federations, leagues, tournaments, sports broadcasts, cultural events and social projects. Existing contracts would receive a 24-month transition period. Most Serie A clubs carry a bookmaker as their main sponsor and would need to find replacements within two years.
The bill introduces risk classification for games. Roulette, slots, crash games and virtual sports simulators could be placed in an 'excessive risk' category and removed from the legal market. Advertising unlicensed betting services would become a criminal offence carrying one to five years in prison, with harsher sentences for influencers, athletes and celebrities.
Rapporteur Alessandro Vieira called the initiative 'non-partisan' and a response to public concern. Meanwhile, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met with party colleagues to discuss a plan to repeal the Bets Law by the end of 2026. Local media reported that neither the SPA regulator nor the IBJR responsible gambling institute attended. Lula continues to blame legal betting for rising household debt without offering evidence.
