Brazil is on the edge of a gambling controversy as members of the Senate Sports Commission blast the government’s proposed ban on sports betting advertisements. In a heated session, senators and industry experts warned that the move could backfire, driving punters into the arms of illegal operators.
“Prohibiting ads won’t stop betting—it will just push it underground,” said one senator. Others criticized the plan as out of touch with Brazil’s fast-growing online betting reality, which is already the third-largest market globally.
Government Action
The Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA), under the Ministry of Finance, is responsible for creating regulations and overseeing the sector. Ordinance 1231, issued in July 2024, establishes rules for online betting advertising. However, all regulations introduced in 2024 went through a transitional period, which led to the authorization of around 90 companies, and only came fully into force this year. Online betting has been permitted since 2018.
SPA representative Daniela Correa Cardoso stated that the legislation already includes several tools that were suggested by parliamentarians and invited guests during the meeting. These include facial recognition to prevent betting by minors and the prohibition of linking betting to easy profits, extra income, or investments.
Insufficient Warnings
In the opinion of public defender Thiago Henrique Cunha Basílio, who operates in the state of Rio de Janeiro, betting advertisements do not provide sufficient information about the emotional and financial risks involved in gambling.
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Experts are calling for smart regulation, not censorship—including responsible advertising, user protection, and clear enforcement mechanisms. They point to the U.K. and Spain as examples of balanced frameworks that protect users without paralyzing the industry.
