AGU asks Brazil’s Supreme Court to keep the betting ban

The office of Brazil’s Attorney General (AGU) has requested the Supreme Federal Court (STF) to keep fixed odds betting ban, while urging Justice Luiz Fux to consider the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGR) stance prior to making a decision on the matter. The AGU put forward its position in light of the legal action taken by the gambling industry in Brazil. The National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) as well as the Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR) requested Fux to suspend the implementation of the prohibition. The organizations are warning about unsettled legal and legislative issues, so the prohibition needs to be on hold for now. Fux had previously requested the AGU’s position before considering whether to suspend the measure. At this point the AGU has proposed that the court should first wait for PGR to express its opinion and also asked for a public hearing regarding the matter that would pave the way for making a ruling. The agency cites a report which indicates that there has been a 140% rise in consultations in the Brazilian public health system (SUS) regarding gambling problems witnessed between 2018 and 2025. Jorge Messias, Brazil’s Attorney General, wrote: The exploitation of fixed-odds betting has been monitored by various public bodies, which have identified indications of significant repercussions on family budgets, indebtedness, health, the protection of vulnerable people, and other constitutionally protected interests. Fux is the person responsible for three constitional cases questioning the legality of the gambling regulations in Brazil. The industry groups are seeking to have the ban suspended, while the government is asking the STF to keep the measure in effect pending further proceedings. The court has yet to make a final decision on whether the ban will remain in force.