A bill introduced in the Chamber of Deputies provides for banning fixed-odds betting in Brazil and revoking the authorizations granted to companies legally operating in the country. PL 5.153/2026 establishes a transition period of 180 days and creates mechanisms to block websites, apps, and payments linked to the activity.
The proposal, introduced by Congresswoman Caroline de Toni (PL-SC) on Monday (24), would affect sports betting and online games operated under the fixed-odds system. If approved by Congress and signed into law, the measure would end the federal model that currently allows regulated bets to operate in the country.
As of Friday (28), the Chamber's processing record showed only the bill's introduction to the board of directors. There was still no definition on the committees responsible for review or the processing regime.
Licenses would be revoked within 180 days
The bill determines that all valid authorizations to operate fixed-odds betting be terminated 180 days after the publication of the eventual law, regardless of the term originally granted to companies.
During the transition, authorized operators would remain subject to current requirements for bettor protection, betting integrity, money-laundering prevention, maintenance of reserves, and provision of information to authorities.
From the 181st day, companies would be prohibited from receiving new bets or deposits. Websites and apps could remain available only for consultation, withdrawal of funds, and settlement of bets made before the closure.
Operators would then have up to 90 days to pay prizes and fully return the balances held in customer accounts. The text prohibits charges intended to hinder or reduce the restitution of these funds.
The proposal does not provide for punishment of users solely for placing a bet. Sanctions are directed at operators, funders, intermediaries, and other agents economically involved in maintaining the prohibited activity.
Advertising, sponsorships, and new contracts would be restricted
The changes would begin even before the end of the 180 days. Upon publication of the eventual law, new authorizations, license renewals, and expansion of the number of brands, domains, or channels linked to existing operations would be prohibited.
New advertising, sponsorship, affiliation, or promotion contracts could also not be signed. Contracts of this type already in force could continue for at most 30 days, without renewal or extension.
After the transition period, the prohibition would cover commercial advertising, sponsorships of teams, athletes, competitions, events, influencers, and media outlets, as well as bonuses, promotional credits, and loyalty programs.
Affiliate links, promotional codes, and commercial content presented as reviews, testimonials, or recommendations would also be covered.
The text preserves content journalistic, academic, scientific, educational, or of public interest when there is no commercial relationship, compensation, or sponsorship from betting operators.
Bill allows blocking websites, Pix, and cryptoassets
The bill expands the instruments available to prevent operations from continuing. The competent federal authority could order the blocking of websites and domains, removal of apps, and taking down of ads or commercial content linked to betting.
Financial institutions and payment companies could be required to block accounts and interrupt transactions associated with the activity. The prohibition would reach operations carried out by bank account, card, Pix or other financial means maintained in Brazil.
The bill also includes digital wallets and virtual asset service providers. The measures could cover transfers, custody, and conversion of cryptoassets related to betting, including stablecoins.
The proposal also attempts to prevent the use of alternative domains to circumvent blocks. If an already identified operator starts using a new address, app, or digital structure, the authority could extend the restriction upon proof of the link between the operations.
The rules would also apply to platforms based abroad when bets are offered to people located in Brazil.
Fines could reach R$ 2 billion
Operating or promoting betting in violation of the eventual law would be subject to administrative sanctions, including warning, blocking of the means used, and prohibition on advertising or sponsoring related to the sector.
For companies, the fine could range from 0.1% to 20% of the revenue or gross income considered in the proceeding, with a limit of R$ 2 billion per violation. When this calculation cannot be applied, the foreseen value ranges from R$ 50 thousand to R$ 2 billion.
The bill also creates a penalty of two to five years in prison, in addition to a fine, for anyone who operates, manages, organizes, or economically maintains a fixed-odds betting operation without authorization during the transition or after the 180-day period ends.
The same penalty could apply to anyone who knowingly finances the activity, conceals its ultimate beneficiary, or provides structures intended for moving betting funds.
The punishment would be increased in cases involving criminal organization, use of third parties for concealment, participation of minors under 18 in promotion or operation, or continuation of activities after an official blocking order.
Proposal cites impact of bets on household income
In the bill's justification, Caroline de Toni says she intends to reverse the legislative decision that allowed the expansion of fixed-odds betting in light of the economic, social, and public health impacts attributed to the sector's growth.
The document cites estimates from the Fiscal Bulletin of the Brazilian States, prepared under Comsefaz, according to which the average monthly net transfer attributable to bets between October 2024 and March 2026 reached R$ 4.7 billion.
For 2025, the estimate presented is R$ 62.5 billion in net outflow of resources from Brazilian families to the sector, equivalent to approximately 0.68% of the Families' Gross Disposable National Income.
The bill itself stresses that these numbers are estimates produced by statistical models and do not mean that each real identified can be directly related to a specific bet.
The justification also mentions a survey by Tendências Consultoria and Peers Consulting+Technology that estimates approximately R$ 37 billion in gross revenue from bets in 2025, with more than 25 million users. These data are presented by the bill as part of the arguments used by the author to defend the change.
The text also cites the risks associated with problem gambling and notes that the Ministry of Health launched, in July 2026, a national campaign to prevent harms related to online betting and began publicizing specific care in SUS for bettors and their families.
Approval would revoke current betting legislation
Fixed-odds betting was established in Brazil by Law 13.756, of 2018. Law 14.790, approved in 2023, expanded and regulated the model, including betting on sporting events and online games, and establishing the authorization regime for companies.
PL 5.153/2026 provides for revoking Law 14.790/2023 and provisions of the 2018 legislation related to the operation of fixed-odds betting as of the 181st day after the publication of the eventual new law.
The bill's introduction, however, is only the beginning of the legislative process. For the prohibition to take effect, the proposal still needs to advance in the Chamber, be approved by the Senate, and proceed to presidential sanction.
