Brazilian government seeks unchanged passage of betting ban measure
Regulation2 min read
Brazil’s government is seeking Congress’s approval of a provisional measure banning sports betting and online gambling, with a joint committee potentially to be established next week. Government Leader Randolfe Rodrigues said the government wants the measure approved unchanged; if Congress does not pass it before its recess, a final hearing could take place in 2027. Finance Minister Dario Durigan said the ban would reduce Selective Tax revenue in 2027.
Brazil's government wants Congress to approve its provisional measure banning sports betting and online gambling without changes, government leader Senator Randolfe Rodrigues said. The government opposes amendments that would allow sports betting while banning online casino games.
Finance Minister Dario Durigan said ending betting operations would reduce government Selective Tax revenue in 2027. Betting companies had been included in the government's original revenue estimates, and the proposed budget would need revision to account for the expected shortfall. Durigan said the impact would need to be accommodated in planning for the 2027 budget, which Congress has yet to approve.
In a separate response to a request, the Finance Ministry said it had found no studies or other documents assessing the economic, fiscal, regulatory or social effects of a complete or partial ban on fixed-odds betting, online gambling or gambling advertising. The ministry said projections would require scenarios, economic and behavioural assumptions and multidisciplinary technical studies.
Rodrigues said a joint committee to review the measure could be established the following week. He planned to contact Senate President Davi Alcolumbre and Chamber of Deputies President Hugo Motta over the weekend to coordinate its establishment and membership. Rodrigues said the committee's leadership had yet to be decided and would depend on discussions with Motta and Alcolumbre.
The government’s goal is to finish voting in 2026, starting in the joint committee and proceeding to the Chamber of Deputies and Federal Senate. Rodrigues cautioned that the timetable and approaching parliamentary recess could make the timeframe difficult. If Congress does not finish before year-end, it could consider the measure again in 2027.