Brazilian lawmakers have proposed amendments to preserve sports betting as the country’s ban on fixed-odds wagering advances, with the government reporting that more than 13,000 illegal betting websites were submitted for blocking in 12 days.
The deadline for lawmakers to submit amendments to Provisional Measure No. 1.394/2026 expired at 11:59 p.m. on October 13. By October 9, the measure had received at least 58 amendments, four of which were subsequently withdrawn, according to BNL Data.
At least seven lawmakers have proposed removing the prohibition on sports betting while retaining a ban on online casino games. Representative Bebeto (PP-RJ) proposed legalizing all betting modalities that operated before the measure was introduced, while maintaining advertising restrictions, including a prohibition on purchasing stadium naming rights.
Other lawmakers who submitted proposals included Senator Romário, Representative Tabata Amaral (PSB-SP), Representative Bibo Nunes (PL-RS) and Representative Hildo Rocha (MDB-MA).
The joint committee tasked with examining the measure has been appointed, but Congress has yet to announce its leadership or establish a timetable for deliberations. The committee must consider the measure and proposed amendments before the text proceeds to votes in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate.
Congress has until November 23 to deliberate on the measure, which will begin blocking the legislative agenda from November 9 if it remains unresolved. Discussions are expected to gain momentum after the second round of Brazil’s presidential election on October 25.
The legislative process is unfolding alongside the government’s preparations to close the regulated betting market. Brazil’s Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA), part of the Ministry of Finance, published Ordinance SPA/MF No. 3.005, setting December 15 as the final date for fixed-odds betting operators to cease activities and establishing a timetable for the gradual shutdown of companies.
The provisional measure separately provides for the termination of federal betting authorizations on October 25.
Government figures have intensified concerns about the potential expansion of unlicensed gambling following the shutdown of authorized operators.
According to an official report released last week, authorities submitted 13,241 illegal betting websites for blocking in 12 days, an average of about 1,103 per day.
Licensed operators, which paid 30 million reais ($5.6 million) for their authorizations, are complying with the shutdown schedule, while illegal platforms continue to emerge.
The figures reinforce the regulated sector’s argument that the ban could leave room for unlicensed operators to capture demand previously served by authorized companies.
On October 13, Brazil’s Official Gazette published Ordinance MJSP No. 1.325/2026, creating a division within the Federal Police dedicated to combating illegal betting and match-fixing.
The future of the measure also remains uncertain at the Supreme Federal Court (STF), where Justice Luiz Fux, the rapporteur for cases challenging the ban, has yet to rule on requests to suspend it.
The requests were submitted by organizations representing the betting and communications sectors, including ANJL, IBJR, Anseja, ANPV and Abert. The cases remain unresolved despite statements from the Attorney General’s Office.
Meanwhile, banks have been scheduled to return balances to bettors between October 9 and 14 if the funds were not voluntarily withdrawn by October 5.
Starting October 14, Caixa Econômica Federal may act as an intermediary when operational difficulties prevent banks from completing the refunds.
The dispute over the betting measure is taking place against the backdrop of Brazil’s presidential runoff between Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Flávio Bolsonaro, scheduled for October 25, the same date on which the measure provides for the termination of betting authorizations.
The election outcome is expected to influence the measure’s prospects in Congress as lawmakers weigh proposals to preserve parts of the regulated betting market.