Brazil’s government has introduced new measures aimed at reducing gambling-related debt as part of its “Novo Desenrola” debt relief program, tightening restrictions on the use of credit-based payment methods for betting activities.
The initiative, launched on 9 May 2026, seeks to address growing concerns about household debt and the role of borrowed funds in online gambling participation.
New Rules Restrict Credit-Funded Bets
A key provision within the new legislation prohibits credit operations directly linked to the transfer of funds for placing bets.
Under Article 16 of the provisional measure, the government aims to close loopholes that allow consumers to finance gambling activity through credit-based transactions connected to Brazil’s popular Pix payment system.
Although “Pix credit” is not formally recognized as a regulated financial product, some institutions have enabled customers to convert credit card balances into Pix transfers, effectively allowing borrowed funds to reach betting platforms.
A review conducted by local media found that, as of mid-May, certain major financial institutions still permitted forms of credit-based transactions linked to betting activities.
Rising Household Debt Drives Action
The restrictions arrive as Brazil faces increasing levels of consumer indebtedness. According to data from the National Confederation of Commerce (CNC), 80.4% of Brazilian households currently carry debt, the highest level recorded since data collection began in 2010.
Government officials view the new measures as part of a broader effort to encourage responsible financial behavior and limit the use of borrowed money for gambling.
Earlier this year, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva publicly criticized the social impact of gambling-related debt, arguing that families should not bear the financial consequences of excessive betting activity.
Existing Betting Rules Already Restrict Credit
Brazil’s regulated betting framework already prohibits operators from accepting postpaid payment methods, including credit cards, under rules that took effect in January 2025.
Most financial institutions now block direct credit-funded transfers to licensed betting operators. Companies such as Nubank and PicPay have confirmed that they refuse transactions involving credit operations connected to betting activity and warn customers about the associated risks.
Licensed operators typically process deposits through standard Pix transfers using corporate accounts and QR code payment systems.
Enforcement Challenges Remain
Despite the new restrictions, questions remain regarding enforcement.
Legal experts note that the Central Bank of Brazil has not yet clarified how it will identify and monitor credit-funded Pix transactions used for gambling purposes. At the same time, the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) currently lacks direct authority to sanction financial institutions that facilitate such payments.
Industry representatives have also pointed to practical limitations. Betting operators argue that they cannot determine whether incoming Pix transfers originated from a customer’s own funds or from a credit transaction because all payments arrive through the same standard process.
As regulators continue refining Brazil’s betting framework, authorities face the challenge of balancing consumer protection, financial oversight, and effective enforcement in one of the world’s fastest-growing regulated gambling markets.
