Brazil Bans Online Betting from Sept 25, Ending $24B Market
Brazil’s provisional measure bans all online betting platforms starting September 25, 2026.
Why it matters: Legal and compliance teams at firms operating in Brazil must quickly adjust to this abrupt ban and manage related operational, refund, and regulatory tasks amid the country’s election year.
- President Lula signed Provisional Measure No. 1234 banning online betting on September 25, 2026, effective immediately.
- Online betting operators must cease activity and close accounts by October 6, 2026; banks will handle refunds between October 9-14.
- Brazil’s market generated over R$120 billion (approx. $24 billion USD) in 2023, with 52 million bettors in 2024, including 25 million new users per PwC.
- The government aims to redirect funds from illegal betting to the National Public Security Fund, intensifying regulatory enforcement.
On September 25, 2026, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed Provisional Measure No. 1234, immediately banning all online betting platforms across Brazil. This includes sports betting and online casino games and reverses prior government efforts to regulate this industry.
The law prohibits new deposits starting immediately and bans betting advertisements by October 5, 2026. Operators must cease all activity and close user accounts by October 6. Platforms are required to provide user balance information to banks by October 8, which will then process refunds between October 9 and 14, according to official government guidelines.
This provisional measure builds on a June 2026 decree enabling the government to block funds of illegal betting companies and redirect those resources to the National Public Security Fund, a step aimed at combating gambling-related harms. Details of this were released by the government in June 2026 announcements.
According to a PwC report, 52 million Brazilians placed online bets in the first seven months of 2024, including 25 million who bet for the first time. The overall market generated more than R$120 billion (around $24 billion USD) in revenue in 2023.
Finance Minister Dario Durigan has highlighted the personal and social harms caused by gambling addiction. President Lula described the ban as an urgent measure to address these issues, emphasizing the need for immediate regulatory action. This move follows recent online child protection initiatives, including the March 2026 ban on loot boxes for minors, reported by PC Gamer.
With Brazil’s general elections scheduled for late 2026, this provisional measure signals a shift toward stricter digital consumption regulation. Legal and compliance teams should prioritize adherence to the new ban, manage refund workflows with financial institutions, and prepare for potential future legislative changes as the political landscape evolves.
By the numbers:
- R$120 billion (~$24 billion USD) — Brazil’s 2023 online betting market revenue
- 52 million — Brazilians placing online bets in early 2024
- 25 million — New online bettors recorded by PwC in 2024
Yes, but: This ban is issued via a provisional measure, meaning it requires congressional approval within 120 days to become permanent, which could alter its long-term applicability.
What's next: Congress must review and approve Provisional Measure No. 1234 by January 2027; meanwhile, operators face immediate compliance.