Brazil’s Supreme Court justice freezes lawsuits challenging betting ban
Regulation1 min read
Brazilian Supreme Federal Court justice Luiz Fux suspended lawsuits challenging the provisional measure banning sports betting and online gaming until the court rules on its constitutionality. Fux acted on a request from Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet, citing the risk of conflicting lower-court decisions; the injunction will be reviewed by the court’s full bench. Congress must review the measure within 120 days or it will lapse.
Lawsuits contesting Brazil’s ban on sports betting and online gaming have been put on hold by Supreme Federal Court Justice Luiz Fux, who granted a request from the Office of the Prosecutor-General. The suspension will last until the Supreme Court reaches a definitive ruling on the government decision’s constitutionality.
Fux said the suspension was intended to prevent conflicting court rulings and provide legal certainty. The injunction will be reviewed by the court's full bench.
Prosecutor-General Paulo Gonet said some lower courts had allowed betting platforms to operate on the grounds that the measure was unconstitutional. The prosecutor-general's office said those rulings had resulted in uneven application of the measure before the Supreme Court had considered its constitutionality.
Federal appellate judge Adriana Pileggi de Soveral had allowed three CDA Gaming platforms to resume operations. The court's president, federal appellate judge Luís Antonio Johonsom di Salvo, suspended that decision days later at the request of the Office of the Attorney General.
The National Congress must review and approve the provisional measure within 120 days or it will lapse. The joint committee has not yet been established or appointed its rapporteur and chair.