Brazil justice ministry classifies Bets MP drafting documents as secret for five years
Regulation2 min read
Brazil’s Ministry of Justice classified documents used to draft Provisional Measure No. 1,394/2026 as secret for five years, according to the report. The measure prohibits sports betting and online games, and the ministry said disclosure could pose risks to public safety and the country’s economic stability; its validity runs until 23 November, with a possible 60-day extension.
Government papers behind Provisional Measure No. 1,394/2026 have been placed under a five-year secrecy order by the Ministry of Justice. Nicknamed the Bets MP, the measure banned the running, offering and promotion of online games and sports betting in Brazil.
A request for access to the content under the Access to Information Law (LAI) was reportedly rejected on the basis of a classification term dated 24 September, one day before President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed the measure. Victor Oliveira Fernandes, the Ministry of Justice's Secretary of Digital Rights, argued that disclosure of the material could result in "in a risk to the life, safety, or health of the population". Fernandes also described disclosure as a "high risk to the financial, economic, or monetary stability of the country".
The measure makes the Ministry of Justice responsible for inspecting app stores, operating systems and internet application providers to ensure compliance with the ban on betting platforms. The measure is valid until 23 November, with a possible extension of another 60 days. The composition of the National Congress Joint Commission that will analyse the proposal has been announced. A rapporteur for the proceedings has not yet been formally designated.
Associations and football clubs are challenging the constitutionality of the Bets MP before the Federal Supreme Court (STF) in various lawsuits. The entities are also asking for its effects to be suspended until the Court's Plenary rules.
Representatives of several clubs attended the STF public hearing. Eduardo Schumacher, a lawyer and Grêmio vice-president, objected to the abrupt halt of betting-company advertising and sponsorship for Brazilian clubs. On Grêmio’s main shirt sponsorship contract, he said: "Overnight, it ceased to exist." André Sica, who spoke for Esporte Clube Vitória, warned that the Bahia side could run out of funds and argued for suspending the provisional measure.