Brazil’s Congress Extends Online Betting Ban by 60 Days

Brazil’s National Congress, led by Senator Davi Alcolumbre, has extended the provisional measure banning online gambling by 60 days. This decision, formalized by Act No.118/2026, was published on November 11, 2026, prolonging the ban’s validity until March 2027.

What Happened

The President of the National Congress, Senator Davi Alcolumbre, signed Act No.118/2026 on November 10, 2026, extending the indefinite online gambling ban in Brazil for an additional 60 days. The decision was subsequently published in the federal government’s official gazette on November 11, 2026, according to SBC News. This Act prolongs the validity of President Lula da Silva’s Provisional Measure (MP) that initially banned online gambling, extending its effect until March 2027, unless it is overturned by other means prior to that date.

Brazil’s Congress initiated its 120-day review of President Lula’s ban shortly after the measure was announced on September 25. Legislators decided to extend the review period to accommodate the parliamentary recess scheduled between December 23, 2026, and January 1, 2027. Congress retains the authority to either reject or amend President Lula’s legislation. The measure is slated for initial examination by a joint committee comprising both Deputies and Senators from the lower and upper houses of Congress, before proceeding to debates on the floors of the Chamber of Deputies and Federal Senate.

Key Details

• Senator Davi Alcolumbre signed Act No.118/2026 on November 10, 2026, extending President Lula da Silva’s online gambling ban by 60 days (SBC News).
• The decision was officially published in the federal government’s gazette on November 11, 2026, prolonging the ban’s validity until March 2027 (SBC News).
• The extension was implemented to accommodate the parliamentary recess from December 23, 2026, to January 1, 2027, as Brazil’s Congress reviews the ban (SBC News).
• The Supreme Federal Court (STF) is assessing the constitutionality of the ban and has frozen all appeals and challenges against it in lower courts (AffPapa).

Why It Matters

The 60-day extension of Brazil’s online gambling ban indicates a prolonged period of regulatory uncertainty for the sector. This decision by Congress grants the legislative body additional time to review President Lula’s Provisional Measure, which was first announced on September 25. The process involves examination by a joint committee of Deputies and Senators, followed by debates in both the Chamber of Deputies and Federal Senate, highlighting a multi-stage legislative review.

Concurrently, the Supreme Federal Court (STF) is evaluating the constitutionality of the ban, a process that could influence the legislative outcome. A recent STF hearing included submissions from industry trade bodies such as the Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gambling (IBRI) and the Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL), alongside input from other commercial trade bodies, health professionals, and the Ministry of Finance, which supports the ban. The STF has since suspended all lawsuits against the ban in lower courts, centralizing the legal challenge at the highest level and potentially bypassing the need for extensive legislative lobbying depending on its final decision.