A Belo Horizonte City Council commission approved a request for information on the city government's bill to reduce the service tax rate for betting companies from 5% to 2%. Councilor Bruno Pedralva asked public agencies about the proposal's economic and social effects, legal compliance and budget impact.
The proposed tax change could affect betting companies considering operating in Belo Horizonte.
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Belo Horizonte councillor Pedro Rousseff withdrew a bill to restrict betting-company advertising from the city council’s 10 June voting agenda, saying it lacked sufficient support. The proposal was postponed until at least July for further consultations; a related bill was also halted under the legislature’s rules.
Belo Horizonte’s city council postponed a vote on two bills restricting online betting advertising, which had been scheduled for 10 June, until July. Councillor Pedro Rousseff requested the delay, saying the proposals lacked the 21 votes needed for approval; the bills cover sponsorships, social media promotion and other marketing.
Belo Horizonte’s city council postponed second-round votes on two bills that would prohibit advertising for online sports betting and gambling platforms in the Brazilian city. The municipal administration requested more time for technical review, and the councillors who introduced the proposals accepted the delay.
Belo Horizonte city councillors approved two bills restricting betting advertising at first reading on 6 November, with 33 votes in favour and six abstentions. The proposals return to committees for amendments before a final vote; if approved by at least 21 councillors, they go to the mayor for approval or veto.
The Belo Horizonte City Council’s Health and Sanitation Committee held a public hearing on gambling addiction on 26 August 2025, with municipal officials, health professionals and civil society representatives taking part. Councillors proposed awareness campaigns and expanding the city’s mental health network; another hearing is planned to include football clubs, betting companies and affected families.