Piracicaba bans betting advertising in public spaces and events

The Piracicaba municipality in São Paulo state has prohibited advertising by fixed-odds betting platforms in public spaces and at events, according to a municipal decree published in the Official Gazette. The measure takes effect within 90 days, according to the decree. The ban was reported by G1 Piracicaba e Região.

The decree covers municipal public property, built or not, and urban furniture whose advertising use depends on a licence, authorisation, permission, concession or contract with the municipality. It also covers vehicles, terminals, points, shelters and other equipment of the municipal public transport service, municipal public equipment, and events promoted or held by the municipal public administration. The prohibition applies to contracts, permissions, concessions and authorisations entered into, renewed or extended after the rule takes effect.

The ban covers the use of a name, brand, logo, symbol, electronic domain, application, promotional code, bonus, link and quick response code, among other elements that identify or promote betting platforms. Messages of an exclusively educational or preventive nature about the risks of gambling remain permitted, provided they do not promote any platform.

The municipal measure follows a federal initiative. In September 2026, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed a provisional measure (MP) that fully prohibited bets in the country, including online games and virtual casinos such as the "Jogo do Tigrinho". Bettors had until 23:59 on Monday 5 October to withdraw available funds from the platforms voluntarily. For those who did not withdraw, banks operating for betting companies are returning the amounts until Monday 14 October.

Lula also sent a bill to Congress setting out sanctions for those who exploit, operate or advertise fixed-odds betting. Under the proposal, exploiting or operating such platforms would become a crime punishable by four to six years' imprisonment, plus a fine. Sanctions for legal entities range from a warning to fines of up to R$2bn and may include partial or total suspension of activities.