Brazil’s Provisional Measure No. 1,394 Prohibits Fixed-Odds Betting Operations Nationwide

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed Provisional Measure No. 1,394 on 25 September 2026, prohibiting the operation, offering, intermediation and advertising of fixed-odds betting lotteries within Brazil. The measure applies to physical or virtual means, including where carried out by an agent established abroad that offers them to a person located within the national territory. It covers bets on real sporting events and virtual online gaming events but does not apply to other lottery modalities authorised by law.

As reported by Yogonet International, new deposits with betting operators are prohibited immediately. Bettors have until 5 October to withdraw their balances voluntarily. Websites and applications must go offline from 6 October. Between 7 and 8 October, companies will inform banks of balances linked to CPF numbers. Between 9 and 14 October, banks will refund the amounts. Caixa Econômica Federal may act as an intermediary where repayment is impeded.

Scope of the Ban and Termination of Authorizations

The Provisional Measure terminates concessions, permissions and authorisations for the operation of fixed-odds betting lotteries granted pursuant to Law No. 14,790 of 29 December 2023 upon expiry of thirty days from the date of publication. The termination is due to a reason of public interest and does not entitle the betting operator to the total or partial reimbursement of the consideration paid nor to compensation by the Government. No new concessions, permissions or authorisations may be granted, and pending applications lapse.

Betting operators must keep information relating to their legal representative and electronic address up to date with the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting. They remain subject to obligations of a regulatory, tax and pecuniary nature, prevention of money laundering, responsible gambling, sports integrity, and must preserve data, documents and records for a minimum period of five years.

Transition Obligations, Enforcement Powers and Sanctions

Operators must disable access to websites and applications within ten days, ensure liquidity for full refunds, and transmit itemised lists to financial institutions and the Secretariat. Financial institutions must make restitution within seven days of receiving the lists. Funds for refunds remain segregated. Failure to comply triggers a daily fine of R$ 200,000.00 until remedied.

The measure prohibits financial institutions, payment institutions and payment scheme operators from processing transactions for fixed-odds betting except those necessary for wind-down. Advertising, marketing and sponsorship activities are prohibited, with removal required within ten days. Internet application providers, app stores and operating systems face duties to prevent circulation of prohibited content, with sanctions up to 10% of the economic group’s turnover in Brazil or fines up to R$ 50,000,000.00 per infringement. The Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Justice and Public Security may request blocking of websites, with Anatel and CGI.br responsible for implementation. An Interinstitutional Committee is established to coordinate oversight.

The uncompensated termination and continued obligations create immediate exposure for authorised operators, who must execute a compressed wind-down while preserving all records and reporting data through the Sistema de Gestão de Apostas. Regulators now hold expanded blocking, forfeiture and inter-agency information-sharing powers that will define the effectiveness of the prohibition in the months ahead.

Reporting: Yogonet International

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