Brazilian presidential candidate Romeu Zema again backed banning fixed-odds betting and said a prohibition would be his first act if elected. Psychologist Rafael Ávila said comparing gambling directly with cocaine addiction oversimplifies distinct clinical conditions and risks increasing stigma.
A proposed ban could affect betting platforms, while Ávila challenges the health rationale used to support it.
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Brazil’s government is seeking congressional approval of a provisional measure banning fixed-odds betting by 20 December, but formal committee proceedings have not begun. The measure has 94 amendments pending, and is due to enter an expedited procedure on 9 November; it could expire on 4 March 2027 if Congress does not approve it, according to a calculation cited in the report.
Brazil's government is seeking congressional approval by 20 December of Provisional Measure (MP) 1.394/2026, which would ban fixed-odds betting, but the measure has not begun formal committee proceedings in Congress. According to Congress's website, the measure remains awaiting the establishment of the committee; members have been nominated, but no president or rapporteur has been appointed, which has held up consideration of 94 outstanding amendments.
Brazilian institutional relations minister José Guimarães said on 27 October that the government wants Congress to approve a provisional measure banning fixed-odds betting by 20 December. The measure, MP 1.394/2026, had not begun consideration by its joint committee, which had no chair or rapporteur; it is due to block the agenda of the relevant chamber from 9 November.
Five Brazilian betting associations called on federal authorities and Congress to revisit the fixed-odds betting ban in a joint statement released on 26 October. They said future rules should preserve regulatory progress, strengthen anti-gambling efforts and provide greater legal certainty for operators and investors.
A joint statement dated 26 October saw regulated betting operators in Brazil welcome the re-election of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and press for fresh discussions on fixed-odds betting in the country. Federal authorities and the National Congress are urged in the statement to revisit the regulation identified as PM 1394/2026, which prohibited fixed-odds betting. According to the associations, any alternatives ought to preserve regulatory progress, step up anti-gambling efforts and provide operators and investors with greater legal certainty.
AIGAMING called on Brazil’s government and Congress to reconsider Provisional Measure No. 1,394, which it says prohibits fixed-odds betting nationwide. The association made the appeal in a statement recognising the re-election of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Geraldo Alckmin. It argued that regulation could support employment and help address the illegal market.
On Monday 26 October, the International Gaming Association (AIGAMING) issued an official statement, according to the article. The statement sought a solution for Provisional Measure No. 1.394, which was issued on 25 September 2026 and barred the exploitation, offering, intermediation and advertising of fixed-odds betting across the entire national territory. The document also recognized the re-election of president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and vice-president Geraldo Alckmin.
Brazil's ban on fixed-odds betting under Provisional Measure 1,394/2026 has affected financing for national sport, Tiago Gomes wrote. The opinion piece argues that prohibition does not amount to protection.
The prohibition of fixed-odds betting in Brazil, established by Provisional Measure 1,394/2026, has resulted in consequences for the financing of national sport.