Brazil's Supreme Federal Court ruled that two provisions governing state lotteries are unconstitutional, allowing the same company to operate in multiple states and advertise beyond a state's borders. The unanimous decision covers number lotteries, numbered tickets and instant lotteries, but not fixed-odds betting.
Lottery operators can pursue concessions across state lines and advertise beyond the state where they operate.
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Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court began hearings on 5 August on whether a 1941 decree-law banning in-person gambling is constitutional. The court said a ruling could affect more than 2,700 cases, but overturning the ban would not itself legalise physical casinos or bingo halls; that would require congressional and executive action. The hearing was adjourned for continuation on 6 August.
It was reported that Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court will hear a constitutional challenge to laws permitting online betting. The case follows a complaint from the Office of the Prosecutor General.
Brazilian Federal Supreme Court president Edson Fachin said the court could combine cases on online betting, municipal lotteries and the prohibition of games, but no trial date has been set. Justice Flávio Dino proposed grouping the proceedings, while Fachin had initially favoured separate hearings; Justice Luiz Fux said he needed more time to complete part of his opinion on betting cases.
Brazilian Federal Supreme Court (STF) president Justice Edson Fachin indicated that the court could assess jointly the cases on online betting regulation, municipal lotteries and the prohibition of games. The possibility was raised during a plenary session, and no date has been set for the trial.
Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court suspended its hearing on a challenge to municipal laws governing lotteries and sports betting on 4 November 2026. President Edson Fachin agreed to consider the case alongside other proceedings on betting, lotteries and games of chance; the court has set no date for resuming the hearing.
On Wednesday the 4th, the full bench of the Supreme Federal Court (STF) halted its consideration of ADPF 1212 once the report had been read and the oral arguments delivered. The court has not fixed a date for the proceedings to pick up again.
FEBRALOT asked Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court to admit it as an amicus curiae in ADI 8.027 and, if feasible, let it take part in a public hearing scheduled for 3 November. The federation said the deadline for submitting representatives’ details had passed, and asked the court to consider its written submission if it could not attend.
Direct Action of Unconstitutionality no 8.027 is pending before the Supreme Federal Court, and FEBRALOT, the Brazilian Federation of Lottery Companies, hopes to take part in the debate on it. The entity has asked rapporteur Luiz Fux to admit it as amicus curiae. It also asks, as an exception, for authorisation to attend the public hearing foreseen for 3 November. The federation acknowledges that the deadline for sending the names and powers of attorney of the participating entities' representatives ended at 15h on 29 October. Because of that, it asks that its participation count only if it is still operationally feasible, and at the rapporteur's discretion. If attending the hearing is not possible, the federation wants its written statement and documents to be received, without prejudice to the review of the amicus curiae admission request.