Senator Humberto Costa (PT–PE) has introduced Bill No. 3,754/2025, aiming to overhaul Brazil’s sports betting framework with tougher safeguards for young and vulnerable players. The proposal would raise the minimum betting age from 18 to 21, while introducing strict limits on advertising, sponsorship, and personal spending.
Key measures include a monthly spending cap equivalent to Brazil’s minimum wage (currently R$ 1,518), with the Ministry of Finance authorized to impose daily or weekly limits. The cap is designed to curb over-indebtedness and reduce problem gambling cases.
Advertising would be restricted to the 10 p.m.–6 a.m. window, with a complete ban on campaigns targeting individuals under 21. Additionally, betting companies would be prohibited from sponsoring cultural, sports, or artistic events held in public spaces.
Senator Costa cited growing social harm from betting, pointing to high-profile incidents such as a tragic case in Minas Gerais where a young man killed his mother over gambling debts. He stressed that betting drains resources from low-income households and poses a particular risk to university students.
The bill also seeks to strengthen consumer protection by requiring operators to implement transparent limit-setting tools and to actively monitor player behavior for signs of financial distress. If passed, the legislation would mark one of the most restrictive gambling frameworks in Latin America, reflecting Brazil’s mounting concern over the explosive growth of online betting and its societal impact. The Senate is expected to debate the proposal in the second half of 2025.
