Brazilian betting associations urge review of fixed-odds betting ban

Five Brazilian betting associations issued a joint statement on 26 October calling on federal authorities and the National Congress to reconsider the regulation that banned fixed-odds betting, known as PM 1394/2026. The signatories said alternatives should preserve progress in regulation, strengthen measures against illegal gambling and give operators and investors more legal certainty.

The signatories were the Brazilian Association of International Gaming Operators and Suppliers (ABRAJOGO), the Association of Women in the Gaming Industry (AMIG), the International Gaming Association (AIGAMING), the Union of Sports Betting and Online Gaming Operators in the State of São Paulo (Sindibets) and the Brazilian Association for Compliance, Good Practices, Ethics and Transparency in Betting (ABC – BET). The associations said they were ready to make proposals balancing legal certainty, responsible gambling and economic development, and cited the need for clear rules, effective supervision and respect for existing commitments.

According to the five groups, any decision taken on the betting industry carries immediate consequences for thousands of workers and their families. They argued that job security and professional growth deserve a place in later talks about the sector. Their statement further highlighted women's economic independence and equal employment opportunities, and the associations linked an orderly, sustainable market to consumer protection, investment and safeguarding the gains already made in female inclusion and jobs.

The associations said they hoped President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's new mandate would strengthen institutional trust and support more investment, employment and economic growth. They called on the government and lawmakers to consider alternatives that address illegal operators without dismantling the tax regime established for licensed operators.

The National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) was not among the signatories and instead sent its own message to SBC Notícias Brasil. Under Plínio Lemos Jorge, it congratulated Lula as well and expressed confidence that it could help improve the regulated market. Representing hosted fixed-odds betting operators in Brazil, the association voiced hope for restored dialogue and for the democratic rule of law to prevail, and it pledged commitment to social well-being, describing itself as once more at the disposal of the National Congress and the Executive Branch to strengthen the regulated market and fight illegal betting, which it said has unfortunately dominated the country since licensed companies were banned.

SBC Notícias Brasil approached the Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming (IBJR) for a reaction to Lula's election win, and the institute declined to comment. In their own messages, ANJL and the five associations urged a fresh round of debate on Brazil's betting policy. Their argument is that the government ought to revisit its position on the prohibition, weighing the sector's economic and employment effects alongside regulatory oversight, the illegal market and legal certainty.