Brazil Betting Ban Remains in Force as Supreme Court Schedules Hearing After Lula’s Re-Election

Brazil's Supreme Federal Court has scheduled a public hearing for November 3 to examine the economic and legal consequences of the nationwide betting ban, just days after President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva secured re-election.

Brazil's controversial online betting prohibition has entered a new phase following President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's victory in the October 25 presidential runoff and a fresh procedural decision by the Supreme Federal Court (STF).

Justice Luiz Fux has scheduled a public hearing for November 3 at 10:00 a.m. to examine the implications of Provisional Measure No. 1,394/2026, which prohibited fixed-odds sports betting and online gambling nationwide in September.

The hearing will bring together government representatives, gambling industry associations, commercial organisations and Brazilian football clubs. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) and ten clubs, including Flamengo, Corinthians, São Paulo and Fluminense, have been invited to participate.

Industry representatives argue that the prohibition threatens investments, employment and existing sponsorship contracts. They also warn that customers could migrate to unauthorised gambling platforms.

The government, represented by the Attorney General's Office (AGU), continues to defend the restrictions, citing consumer protection, gambling-related harm and household indebtedness.

The court is examining several constitutional challenges connected to Brazil's betting legislation. However, Justice Fux has not ruled on the merits of the dispute, and the nationwide prohibition remains in force.

Meanwhile, the provisional measure continues through Congress, where lawmakers have until November 23 to complete the initial legislative consideration period.

Lula's re-election reinforces the political context surrounding the restrictions, but it does not resolve their legal future. The November 3 hearing could become an important step towards determining whether Brazil maintains its betting prohibition or adopts a modified regulatory approach.