Bill proposes spending limits and total ban on betting advertisements
A new bill introduced in the Chamber of Deputies seeks to further tighten the rules governing the fixed-odds betting market in Brazil. Filed on 16 June by federal deputy Domingos Sávio, the proposal establishes spending limits for bettors, bans advertising by the sector and provides for the termination of existing sports sponsorship agreements.
The proposal comes at a time when the social impacts of online betting are being widely discussed in the National Congress. Since the regulation of sports betting and online gaming in Brazil, lawmakers have introduced bills with varying levels of restrictions on the sector, often inspired by public health policies applied to other products considered potentially harmful.
Spending limits linked to bettors’ income
Among the main changes proposed is a cap on deposits made by users on betting platforms. Under the proposal, each bettor must set daily, weekly and monthly spending limits at the time of registration. However, these amounts may not exceed 10 per cent of the user’s declared income. Operators would be responsible for implementing technological mechanisms capable of monitoring and preventing deposits exceeding the established limit.
The measure expands the responsible gaming tools already required in the regulated Brazilian market. Currently, licensed operators must offer features such as self-exclusion, time limits and risk behaviour monitoring, in addition to customer identification and verification procedures. Facial recognition and document validation have also become part of regulatory requirements aimed at preventing minors from accessing platforms.
Domingos Sávio’s bill maintains the requirement for biometric verification, identifying the tool as an additional way to strengthen the protection of children and adolescents.
Total ban on advertising
Another notable point is the ban on betting advertising across all media channels. The ban covers advertisements on television, radio, the internet, print media and other forms of commercial promotion. The text also prohibits the use of digital influencers, artists, athletes, former athletes and celebrities in promotional campaigns for betting companies.
In the justification for the proposal, the lawmaker states that betting should be subject to an approach similar to that applied to tobacco products.
“The Brazilian experience with anti-smoking legislation demonstrates that only a total prohibition is capable of effectively addressing products that cause addiction.”
In another section, Sávio comments that if the State restricts cigarette advertising to protect public health, it should adopt a similar stance regarding betting, considering that it may cause equivalent or even greater harm.
The comparison with the tobacco sector is among the strictest approaches suggested for the Brazilian betting market since the sector’s regulation began. Current legislation already establishes restrictions on advertising, prohibiting campaigns aimed at minors, messages associating betting with financial or social success and content encouraging excessive gambling practices.
Sports sponsorships would end within 180 days
The bill also provides for the end of sponsorship agreements between betting companies and sports clubs, championships, competitions and entertainment events. If the proposal is approved, contracts already signed would have to be terminated within 180 days of the law’s enactment.
The measure would have a direct impact on Brazilian football, which is currently heavily dependent on financial support from betting companies. Most clubs in the Série A and Série B divisions have commercial agreements with licensed operators, whether through front-of-shirt sponsorships, brand exposure across digital platforms or competition naming rights.
In addition, the proposal bans welcome bonuses, promotions, loyalty programmes and any other commercial initiatives intended to encourage public participation in betting activities.
Bill seeks to replace Senate-approved text
Domingos Sávio says his proposal should be considered a substitute for Bill No. 2,985/2023, approved by the Federal Senate in 2024, which also addresses advertising for betting. According to the deputy, the version approved by senators would not be sufficient to reduce public exposure to promotional campaigns by companies in the sector.
“The text approved by the Senate, although well-intentioned, contains significant loopholes that allow the continuation of massive public exposure to betting advertising through sports sponsorships, the use of former athletes and broadcasting during restricted hours.”
For now, the bill introduced by Domingos Sávio is still awaiting referral by the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Deputies and has not yet begun debate in the thematic committees.
This article was first published on the Portuguese SiGMA News page on 23 June 2026.
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