A broad coalition of Brazilian lawmakers has introduced twin bills that would ban most forms of betting advertising. In addition, the bills would give health authorities greater power to restrict high-risk online gaming products.
The proposals, backed by politicians from across the political spectrum, represent one of the most significant attempts yet to tighten controls on Brazil’s rapidly growing regulated betting market.
Cross-Party Support Drives Proposal
The legislation was introduced by a group of 20 deputies and seven senators from parties spanning both the left and right of Brazil’s political landscape.
In the Chamber of Deputies, Bill PL 2478/2026 is led by Pedro Campos of the Brazilian Socialist Party. Its counterpart in the Senate, PL 2470/2026, is sponsored by Senator Damares Alves of Republicans.
The bills were presented under the “Brazil Against the Bets” campaign during an event organized by the Mixed Parliamentary Front for the Promotion of Mental Health.
Supporters include lawmakers from the Workers’ Party, Liberal Party, Social Democratic Party, Socialism and Liberty Party, Republicans, and other political groups. This support highlights rare cross-party consensus on gambling regulation.
Advertising Restrictions at the Center
The proposed legislation would prohibit fixed-odds betting advertising across a wide range of channels.
The ban would cover television, radio, websites, social media, streaming platforms, outdoor advertising, sports sponsorship placements, cultural events, and influencer marketing campaigns.
The bills would also outlaw promotional language commonly used within the betting industry. This includes terms such as “guaranteed profit,” “extra income,” “VIP group,” and “loss recovery.”
Lawmakers argue that such marketing messages can encourage excessive gambling and create unrealistic expectations among consumers.
Health Ministry Could Block High-Risk Games
Beyond advertising restrictions, the legislation introduces a new risk-classification system for online gaming products.
Games featuring continuous play cycles, instant outcomes, and variable rewards could be categorized as “excessive risk.” Under the proposals, Brazil’s Ministry of Health would gain authority to review these products. The Ministry could also potentially block them before they reach the market.
The bills also include additional responsible gambling measures, such as mandatory self-exclusion tools, deposit limits, marketing restrictions, and addiction warning requirements.
Heavy Penalties Proposed
Operators that violate the proposed rules could face fines of up to R$50 million per infraction. They could also face potential suspension or revocation of their licenses.
The legislation would also hold influencers personally liable for advertising breaches. This would significantly increase compliance obligations for content creators who promote betting services.
Pedro Campos said he hopes Congress will approve both bills before the end of 2026. If enacted, the measures would dramatically reshape Brazil’s betting advertising landscape. They would also introduce some of the strictest marketing restrictions in the country’s regulated gambling sector.
