Brazil’s Supreme Court could suspend the betting ban

Brazil’s Supreme Court Justice Luiz Fux will hear a lawsuit filed by three gambling associations who want to suspend the betting ban. Justice Luiz Fux has been appointed rapporteur for lawsuits challenging the provisional measure issued by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva that banned fixed-odds betting across the country. The National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL), the Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming (IBJR) and the National Association for the Legal Security of Games and Betting (Anseja) have asked the court to suspend the measure until Congress completes its review or the Supreme Court issues a final ruling. In the lawsuit, the associations mentioned that the ban has immediate consequences that are difficult to reverse and that the government has not demonstrated the urgency required to introduce the changes through a provisional measure. They claim that the licensed firms act in accordance with the rules set by the government and invested their money in establishing businesses. On the other hand, the government argues that the new measure aims to deal with such issues that are connected with economic and social aspects of gambling such as gambling addiction or a household debt. According to the government plans, the bettors will be able to withdraw their funds from the betting platforms until October 5. The websites for betting will stop working starting on October 6. The measure has to be approved by the legislature within 120 days in order to be legalized. Whether or not the restrictions will stay in force depends on the Supreme Court sessions.