Provisional Measure (MP) 1.394/2026, signed on September 25, establishes the shutdown of authorized sports betting and virtual gaming platforms in Brazil. The new regulation introduces a mandatory mechanism for refunding remaining account balances to users, directly impacting sector operators, financial institutions, and the advertising market.
Timeline for Shutdown and Balance Refunds
The federal government set a strict schedule for discontinuing services and returning funds to bettors. Estimates from the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA) indicate that approximately 23 million users held accounts with balances on these platforms, totaling roughly R$ 1.7 billion to be refunded.
- October 5: Deadline for voluntary withdrawals directly through websites and mobile applications.
- October 6: Platforms must go offline starting at 12:00 a.m. App stores, internet service providers, and the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee (CGI.br) will assist in enforcing access blocks.
- October 7 and 8: Betting operators must report to banks the amounts held by users, identified by their CPF (individual taxpayer ID).
- October 9 to 14: Financial institutions will process and distribute the refunds to bettors.
- As of October 14: Caixa Econômica Federal (a federal state-owned bank) will intermediate payments in instances where commercial banks encounter impediments to complete refunds.
Impacts on Advertising and Marketing
In addition to shutting down operations, MP 1.394/2026 prohibits advertising across the industry. Companies have until October 5 to take down all advertising materials, marketing campaigns, and brand displays tied to sponsorship contracts.
This rule significantly impacts the sports sector. Government figures indicate that betting platforms spent R$ 1.1 billion in 2025 on Brazil’s main football clubs, representing 36% of the marketing revenue generated by those teams.
Economic Context and Tax Revenue
The operational ban is part of an economic package aimed at addressing household debt and compulsive virtual gambling. A study by the National Committee of State Finance Secretaries (Comsefaz) estimated that betting drained R$ 62.5 billion from Brazilian household budgets in 2025, a conclusion contested by the National Gaming and Lottery Association (ANJL).
The sector turned over approximately R$ 220 billion in Brazil during 2025, with daily transaction volume near R$ 600 million. From a fiscal standpoint, sector taxation yielded R$ 15.3 billion to the federal government since early 2025, funds deemed significant for meeting fiscal targets.
Next Regulatory Steps
To retain permanent legal force, MP 1.394/2026 must be reviewed and approved by the Brazilian National Congress within the constitutional deadline. In the interim, companies across the betting ecosystem must promptly adapt their operations to comply with access blocking and contract termination mandates, mitigating liability risks.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For guidance on specific matters, consult a qualified lawyer.
Deixe um comentário