Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court hears challenge to fixed-odds betting ban

Brazil's Supreme Federal Court held a public hearing on 3 November on Provisional Measure 1.394/2026, starting at 10:00 Brasília time. The measure bans the operation of fixed-odds betting and provides for the cancellation of authorisations granted to companies in the sector.

Justice Luiz Fux convened the session, which forms part of Direct Action of Unconstitutionality 8027. The National Association of Games and Lotteries filed the action, asking for the measure to be suspended and questioning its constitutionality.

The hearing now brings together 34 entities, bodies and associations. The justice accepted new additions that the Attorney General's Office (Abogacía General de la Unión) had requested. The list includes the ministries of finance, health, and justice and public security, as well as the Attorney General's Office, the National Confederation of Industry, the National Confederation of Commerce and the leading business associations in betting. Brazilian football is also represented, by delegates from Flamengo, Corinthians, São Paulo, Fluminense, Botafogo and Cruzeiro and by the Brazilian Football Confederation. Every participant is allotted ten minutes to speak. The court's official channels carry the session publicly.

The future of the licences and the investments made by operators is one of the main points of conflict. Companies that entered the regulated market face the possibility that their authorisations could be voided as a result of the ban. The National Association of Games and Lotteries argues that the measure runs counter to the constitutional framework and asks that the legislation regulating betting in Brazil remain valid. Holding the hearing did not mean the court would issue a final ruling that day on the constitutionality of the ban.