Key Moments:
- A bill to amend Brazil’s Sports Betting Law and ban all gambling advertising has progressed in the Senado Federal
- Campeonato Brasileiro Série A clubs could lose over R$ 842 million as a result of the advertising ban
- The proposed legislation covers a wide range of media channels and would prohibit pre-installed betting apps on smart devices
Senate Committee Approves Wide-Ranging Betting Advertisement Ban
A bill that would impose a national ban on gambling advertising has been approved by Brazil’s Committee on Science and Technology (CCT), and is moving forward to the Committee on Constitution and Justice (CCJ) for further consideration. If enacted, the amendment to Brazil’s Sports Betting Law would eliminate gambling advertising across an array of platforms.
Pivotal Sponsorships at Stake for Top-Tier Football Clubs
Betting brands are currently among the leading commercial partners in Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, with about 60% of the league’s top-flight clubs relying on these companies as main shirt sponsors. Notable clubs engaged in such agreements include Flamengo (Betano), Fluminense, São Paulo FC (Superbet), Palmeiras (SportingBet), Corinthians (Esportes da Sorte), Botafogo (Vbet), Cruzeiro (Betnacional), and Atlético Mineiro (H2Bet). Additional teams such as Red Bull Bragantino, Chapecoense, Vitória, and Remo also maintain commercial relationships with gambling operators.
Should the advertising ban take effect, these sponsorship deals would be directly impacted, leaving clubs to swiftly seek alternative commercial strategies in a highly competitive landscape. Estimates suggest the financial losses for Série A clubs alone could surpass R$ 842 million.
Industry Warnings and Broader Economic Concerns
Financial repercussions have drawn widespread attention. In 2025, multiple clubs issued a joint statement warning that a comprehensive ban could immediately cost the Brazilian sports sector R$ 1.6 billion per year.
Bernardo Cavalcanti Freire, legal advisor to the Associação Nacional de Jogos e Loterias (ANJL) and partner at Betlaw, commented: “The abusive advertising and, above all, the advertising conducted by clandestine companies should be repressed.”
Comprehensive Scope: From Media to Mobile Devices
The proposed advertising ban would not be limited to team sponsorships. It is designed to cover television, radio, print media, and social networks, with additional restrictions on sports broadcasts and live television coverage. Furthermore, the proposal mandates a ban on pre-installed betting applications for smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs as a measure to curb consumer exposure.
Nickolas Tadeu Ribeiro de Campos, chairman of the board at Ana Gaming, shared his perspective: “Clear and proportionate rules are essential to protect the public and to establish a transparent and sustainable market for all those involved.”
Next Steps and Ongoing Debate
With the bill advancing to the CCJ, discussions continue on how best to reconcile consumer protection measures with the regulatory and financial needs of Brazil’s sporting ecosystem.
Clubs Currently Sponsored by Betting Brands
| Club | Betting Sponsor |
|---|---|
| Flamengo | Betano |
| Fluminense | – |
| São Paulo FC | Superbet |
| Palmeiras | SportingBet |
| Corinthians | Esportes da Sorte |
| Botafogo | Vbet |
| Cruzeiro | Betnacional |
| Atlético Mineiro | H2Bet |
| Red Bull Bragantino | – |
| Chapecoense | – |
| Vitória | – |
| Remo | – |
- Author
Daniel Williams
