Caxias do Sul has paused studies for a municipal lottery while Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court considers a challenge to municipalities operating lottery services. The Solidariedade party argues that municipal operation is unconstitutional; the city says it still intends to proceed but is waiting for the court’s decision.
The court’s ruling could determine whether Caxias do Sul can advance its planned municipal lottery.
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Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court has moved its review of an injunction suspending municipal lottery and sports betting laws from the virtual plenary to an in-person hearing after Justice Flávio Dino requested a highlight on 5 December. Justice Nunes Marques had issued the injunction on 3 December, arguing that such authorisations fall under federal rather than municipal legislative authority.
Supreme Court Justice Nunes Marques admitted Santa Catarina, Espírito Santo, Rondônia and the Anseja association as participants in a case challenging municipal authority over lotteries. The proceeding, brought by Solidariedade, asks the court to suspend municipal lottery and betting laws pending a ruling on their constitutionality.
Brazil Supreme Court Justice Nunes Marques admitted ANALOME, ANJL, CNS and Paraná state as amici curiae in a case challenging municipal lotteries and betting systems. He rejected a similar request from Bethanus Assessoria Empresarial Ltda. The case, brought by Solidariedade, asks the court to suspend municipal laws and decrees pending a ruling on their constitutionality.
Rio Grande do Sul’s Law 16.508/2026 took effect on 25 August, requiring betting advertisements to carry risk warnings covering at least 15% of the ad and restricting their broadcast between 6am and 9pm. The Supreme Federal Court had not ruled on a suspension request; the law also restricts child-appealing characters and exempts sponsorship contracts made before it took effect.
Brazil’s Association of Radio and Television (Abratel) asked the Supreme Federal Court on 21 August to join as an amicus curiae in a case challenging Rio Grande do Sul’s restrictions on sports-betting advertising. The state law bars betting advertisements on television, streaming, video-on-demand services and radio from 6am to 9pm; the underlying challenge was brought by the National Association of Games and Lotteries.