Brazil’s Congress extends online betting ban by 60 days

The indefinite online gambling in Brazil has been extended by another 60 days by the President of the National Congress, Senator Davi Alcolumbre. As reported by SBC Notícias Brasil, Alcolumbre signed Act No.118/2026 on 10 November, with the decision subsequently published in the federal government’s official gazette today (11 November). The Act extends the validity of President Lula da Silva’s Provisional Measure (MP) banning online gambling for a further 60 days. The measure will now be valid until March 2027, unless struck down by another means before then. Brazil’s Congress initiated its 120 day review of Lula’s ban shortly after measure was announced by the president on 25 September. Legislators have decided that the period should be extended to accommodate the parliamentary recess between 23 December 2026-1 January 2027. Congress has the power to reject or amend Lula’s legislation. The race is now on for the betting industry to get lobbying underway to persuade Congress to allow it to return in some form. The measure will first be examined by a joint committee composed of both Deputies and Senators, representing in the lower and upper houses of congress. It will then be debated on the floors of the Chamber of Deputies and Federal Senate. Lobbying around this could be avoided depending on the Supreme Federal Court’s (STF) final decision, however. The STF is assessing the constitutionality of Lula’s ban. The court conducted a hearing last week, with submissions heard from the two betting industry trade bodies, the Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gambling (IBRI) and the Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL). Justice Luiz Fux, overseeing the hearing, also heard submissions from other commercial trade bodies, health professionals, and the government, with the Ministry of Finance steadfast in its defence of the ban. The STF has since blocked all appeals and challenges against the ban in the lower courts.