A public hearing at the Legislative Assembly of Rio Grande do Sul examined consumer protection in sports betting and online gaming on 3 September. Congressman Tiago Simon said he was drafting a proposal on advertising; participants also discussed household spending, gambling-related illness and consumer debt.
A proposed advertising measure could affect betting platforms operating in Rio Grande do Sul.
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Brazil's Prosecutor-General's Office (PGR) argued that Rio Grande do Sul's Law 16.508/2026 is unconstitutional and asked the Supreme Federal Court to suspend it, according to a filing submitted on 17 August. The law restricts advertising, promotion and sponsorship by fixed-odds betting platforms in the state. The case was brought by the National Association of Games and Lotteries, and the PGR said the rules intrude on powers reserved to the federal government.
It was reported that a Rio Grande do Sul bill would bar public payments to media carrying fixed-odds betting advertising. The proposed restriction covers advertising contracts, sponsorships and other state funding arrangements.
Rio Grande do Sul’s law restricting betting advertising is the focus of a constitutional dispute over whether states can regulate the issue. The federal Attorney General’s Office supported suspending the law, arguing that authority over commercial advertising and lotteries belongs to the Union; the state Attorney General’s Office defended its constitutionality. The state said it was preparing rules for enforcement.
Brazil’s Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters (ABERT) asked the Supreme Federal Court to join a case challenging Rio Grande do Sul’s restrictions on betting and online gaming advertising, according to the report. The state law limits advertising on television, radio, streaming and video-on-demand services to 21:00–06:00 and restricts promotions at public sports and entertainment venues, subject to stated sponsorship exceptions. ABERT argues that advertising and broadcasting rules fall under federal authority.
Brazil’s Attorney General’s Office (AGU) asked the Supreme Federal Court on 9 June to declare unconstitutional a Rio Grande do Sul law restricting online betting advertising, according to media reports. The AGU argued that commercial betting advertising falls under federal authority and said the state rules could create conflicting obligations for licensed operators. The case, brought by the National Association of Games and Lotteries, has no scheduled hearing date; the law restricts advertising and sponsorship and sets a 120-day compliance period.