Senate Committee Approves Bill to Ban Advertising of Sports Betting and Online Gaming in Brazil

The proposal to put an end to communication and advertising activities related to fixed-odds betting took a significant step forward in Brazil’s Congress on Wednesday (4), after being approved at the first meeting of the year of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology (CCT). The text amends the Sports Betting Law and also prevents the promotion of betting products connected to electoral processes, expanding the scope of restrictions on the sector.

The approved version was presented by the rapporteur, Senator Damares Alves (Republicanos-DF), replacing the original text of Bill PL 3,563/2024, authored by Senator Randolfe Rodrigues (PT-AP). The proposal is being processed jointly with PL 3,586/2024, introduced by Senator Jorge Kajuru (PSB-GO), which is also aimed at banning election-related betting.

Substitute text broadens the scope of the proposal

In her report, Damares Alves introduced a substitute text intended to “incorporate the positive points” of both bills. The senator highlighted the work carried out by the Parliamentary Inquiry Commission (CPI) on Betting and linked gambling addiction to the worsening of mental health disorders among Brazilians.

“By imposing clear limits on the commercial activities of betting operators and preventing the exploitation of the electoral environment by this type of activity, the proposal offers a legislative response proportionate to the seriousness of the problem identified by the Federal Senate,” she said.

During the debate, Senator Efraim Filho (União-PB) echoed concerns raised by sports clubs regarding the possibility of exceptions for sponsorships linked to Olympic sports. In response, Damares Alves indicated that the issue may be addressed at a later stage of the legislative process.

— “It seems to me that they will prepare a substitute text covering all of them, including mine, which will be attached there, and that will meet the clubs’ demands. But here we would approve it as it stands.”

The bill is now expected to move to the Senate’s Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ), where it may be analyzed alongside other proposals dealing with the regulation and restrictions of the betting sector in Brazil.