Legislators in Brazil Advocate for Prohibition of Sports Gambling
In the heart of South America, Brazil – a nation renowned for its vibrant culture and love for sports – is currently grappling with a significant legislative proposal that could reshape its sports betting landscape.
Bill 3636/2025, introduced by Deputy Luiz Carlos Hauly, aims to ban sports betting and online gambling across the country. This move comes as a shock, considering the legalization of fixed-odds betting and online gaming, as outlined in Laws 13.756/2018 and 14.790/2023, was only recently implemented. As of early August 2025, the bill is under review by the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Deputies, with further debate and voting yet to take place.
The rationale behind the bill is grounded in concerns about addiction, particularly among the youth. Deputy Hauly argues that the ban is necessary to safeguard the dignity and well-being of young Brazilians, citing social harms such as household debt linked to online betting, fuelled by social media. This policy reversal, less than two years after Brazil started regulating and taxing gambling, has generated substantial government revenue – approximately R$4 billion in taxes in the first half of 2025 alone.
If passed, the bill would have significant implications across multiple domains:
- Sports Betting Market: The bill would prohibit the operation, advertising, and access to both domestic and international online betting platforms, effectively shutting down the legal fixed-odds sports betting market. This sector has seen significant investments from both local and international operators, indicating substantial economic stakes and potential losses if the ban is enacted.
- Sports Organizations: Many Brazilian football clubs and sports organizations rely heavily on sponsorship income from betting companies. The ban could remove a major source of funding for these entities, potentially impacting club revenues and the wider sports economy.
- Civil Society: Supporters of the bill argue it would address addiction and protect vulnerable populations, especially young people, from the social harms associated with betting. Conversely, some civil society and industry stakeholders might view the ban as a setback to consumer choice and economic development in a regulated market.
As a student of English at Florida State University and a passionate advocate for wellness, I find this proposed policy shift intriguing. I started writing for Legal Sports Betting in 2025 to share insights and perspectives on the evolving world of sports betting. Stay tuned for updates on Bill 3636/2025 and its potential impact on Brazil's sports betting industry.
- Deprived of the legal fixed-odds sports betting market, domestic and international online betting sites would face prohibition of their operations, advertising, and access in Brazil.
- The ban could severely impact the revenue sources of Brazilian football clubs and sports organizations, as sponsorship income from betting companies could cease due to the prohibition on sports betting.
- Despite concerns about addiction and social harms associated with betting, some civil society and industry stakeholders might argue that the ban would diminish consumer choice and hinder economic development within a regulated market.
- The proposed ban on sports betting, discussed in Bill 3636/2025, is causing a stir in the general news, policy-and-legislation, sports, and sports-betting spheres, given its potential financial and societal repercussions.
- The move to ban sports betting and online gambling in Brazil, as advocated by Deputy Luiz Carlos Hauly, would tackle issues related to addiction, particularly among the youth, but it could also upset the gambling industry, sports organizations, and broader sports economy by potentially stripping them of considerable financial support.
