Brazil Extends Online Gambling Ban to March 2027

Update, 12 November 2026: Chilean Senate Committee Backs Online Gambling Prohibition

Brazil has extended its online gambling shutdown until March 2027, impacting regulated market development. Concurrently, a Chilean Senate committee has supported an online gambling ban, drawing criticism from a local trade body.

What Happened

Brazil has officially prolonged its nationwide online gambling ban, pushing the effective shutdown date to March 2027. This decision, reported by iGaming Post and EGR, signifies a continued pause in the development of a regulated online gambling market within the country (EGR, iGaming Post).

Simultaneously, a Senate committee in Chile has voted in favor of a ban on online gambling. This move has prompted a strong reaction from the Agrupación de iGaming Responsable, a Chilean trade body. The organization asserts that legislative amendments supporting a ban will inadvertently contribute to a significant increase in black market activity (EGR, next.io).

In a related development, Colombia is reportedly re-evaluating its Value Added Tax (VAT) regime, specifically as it applies to gambling deposits. Further details on the proposed changes to Colombia’s VAT on gambling deposits were not specified in the reports (EGR).

Key Details

• Brazil’s online gambling ban has been extended to March 2027, according to iGaming Post and EGR.
• A Chilean Senate committee has endorsed an online gambling ban, as reported by next.io and EGR.
• The Agrupación de iGaming Responsable claims a Chilean ban would lead to increased black market growth (EGR).
• Colombia is reportedly revisiting its VAT regime concerning gambling deposits (EGR).

Why It Matters

The extended ban in Brazil indicates ongoing regulatory uncertainty in one of Latin America’s largest potential markets. This prolonged shutdown may continue to deter significant investment in the regulated online gambling sector, delaying the establishment of formal market structures and operations (EGR, iGaming Post). For operators like Meridianbet, which confirmed a $5.5 million impairment charge, these regulatory delays have direct financial implications (EGR).

Chile’s proposed online gambling ban, supported by its Senate committee, presents a contrasting regulatory approach to some other Latin American nations. The Agrupación de iGaming Responsable’s concerns about black market expansion highlight a common debate among regulators regarding the effectiveness and unintended consequences of outright prohibitions versus regulated market frameworks (EGR, next.io). The ongoing re-evaluation of Colombia’s VAT on gambling deposits underscores a broader trend of Latin American jurisdictions refining their fiscal policies for the gambling industry, which can impact profitability and market attractiveness for operators (EGR).