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Brazilian agencies report no impact studies on online gambling ban

Regulation1 min read

In brief

  • Brazilian federal bodies said they carried out no prior impact studies on Provisional Measure 1.394/2026.
  • The Justice Ministry classified internal documents on the ban for five years.
  • Companies are considering legal action to recover R$2,500m paid for licences.

Several Brazilian federal bodies confirmed in responses under the Access to Information Law that they carried out no prior economic, fiscal or social impact studies on Provisional Measure 1.394/2026. The measure bans the offer, operation, exploitation and advertising of fixed-odds betting and online games in Brazil, and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed it on 25 September.

The Finance Ministry and the Receita Federal did not produce reports on the tax revenue the state will lose once the regulated market closes. The Justice Ministry classified as reserved for five years the internal documentation used to draft the online gambling ban. The Casa Civil denied access requests for legal opinions on the measure, citing professional secrecy.

Companies in the sector are reportedly considering legal action to recover R$2,500m (US$450m) paid for operating licences.

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Regulation

Brazil justice minister defends betting measure at Supreme Court hearing

Brazilian Justice Minister Wellington César Lima e Silva addressed the Supreme Court’s public hearing on Provisional Measure 1.394/2026, which banned fixed-odds betting. He defended the measure’s urgency and relevance but, according to the report, did not provide figures on illegal sites blocked, accounts frozen or money recovered. He alleged links between betting and organised crime without citing specific cases or amounts.

The Supreme Court (STF) held a public hearing on Provisional Measure 1.394/2026, to which government bodies including the Ministry of Justice and Public Security were summoned. Justice Minister Wellington César Lima e Silva spoke without a prepared text, as he acknowledged himself. According to the report, he did not present figures on blocked sites, frozen accounts or recovered sums.

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