Brazil’s top court to hear government and industry on betting ban
Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court will hold a 3 November hearing on challenges to the country’s fixed-odds betting prohibition, with government, industry and football representatives due to participate.
Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court (STF) has scheduled a 3 November hearing in Brasília on challenges to the country’s betting prohibition. Justice Luiz Fux set the 10am session in a 26 October order after requests from the Attorney General’s Office, applicants and other participants.
The 26 listed participants include government and legal representatives, industry bodies, the Brazilian Football Confederation and ten football clubs. The case follows a September challenge by the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) seeking suspension of Provisional Measure 1,394/2026, published on 25 September, which bans fixed-odds betting, including sports betting and online games.
Industry associations argue the prohibition lacks the constitutional urgency needed for a provisional measure, harms legal certainty and could push customers to unlicensed operators. ANJL and the Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming asked for the ban to be suspended pending a hearing, or for licensed operations to continue until the end of 2026. The Attorney General’s Office supported another hearing but opposed suspension, according to the submission. The hearing also covers earlier cases on laws underpinning the regulated market.
