Brazil Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Luiz Fux has cancelled a conciliation hearing that was due to take place on Tuesday, 10 February 2026, between the federal government and betting-sector representatives over restrictions targeting Bolsa Família beneficiaries. The cancellation effectively keeps in force Fux’s earlier decision that suspended the government’s operational order intended to block betting activity linked to social-welfare recipients.
According to the court schedule cited, the hearing was called off due to a calendar conflict with a session of the STF’s Second Panel (Second Chamber), with the postponement decision signed on Monday, 2 February 2026. No new hearing date was published in the announcement, meaning the sector remains in a holding pattern on when — or if — a negotiated pathway will be revisited.
Brazil to Restrict Use of Social Benefits for Gambling
The dispute traces back to October 2025, when the government directed regulated betting platforms to exclude Bolsa Família and BPC (Continuous Benefit Payment) recipients using a CPF-based barred list. Industry estimates cited in Brazilian press suggested the ban could remove around 20% of users from licensed platforms.
On 19 December 2025, Fux partially granted an injunction requested by the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL), ordering the unblocking of active accounts and the reactivation of accounts closed after the rule, while keeping the prohibition only for new registrations or new account openings by beneficiaries.
For operators, the near-term compliance posture remains: maintain controls to prevent new sign-ups by Bolsa Família/BPC recipients, avoid automated closures of existing accounts absent a fresh order, and closely monitor any rescheduled STF timetable.
