Senators in Brazil have taken a step toward banning gambling advertising.
The Senate Science and Technology Committee this week advanced a bill that would amend Brazil’s Sports Betting Law to prohibit advertising of sports betting and online games nationwide. It would also ban promotion of election betting.
Senator Damares Alves associated problem gambling with worsening mental issues among Brazilians, a Senate news release noted.
“By imposing clear limits on the commercial performance of bookmakers and preventing the exploitation of the electoral environment by this type of activity, the proposition offers a legislative response proportional to the seriousness of the problem diagnosed by the Federal Senate,” Alves said.
The ban includes ads on radio, TV, newspapers, magazines, social media and sports event and club sponsorships.
There is potential for an amendment to allow for sponsorships of Olympic sports clubs, according to the release. The bill will move on to the Constitution, Justice and Citizenship Committee for consideration.
The bill would create penalties of up to $2 million and potential suspension or revocation of licences.
Brazil gambling market start
Brazil launched its regulated online gambling market in January 2025 with 14 operators. There are now more than 80 licensed operators in the nation.
The first full year of Brazil online gambling generated $7 billion in gross gaming revenue.
“I think the market is a huge success,” Udo Seckelmann, head of gambling & crypto at Brazilian law firm Bichara e Motta Advogados, told iGB last month. “I think what Brazil has done especially the past two years with all the ordinances, all the regulations, all the federal laws and all the advancements that we’ve had [has] been great.”
One of the main goals in legalising the industry was to eliminate the illegal market.
According to previous iGB reporting, there are fears that the proposed ad restrictions and recent tax increases could hamper the elimination of the illegal market. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva approved a gradual tax increase last month, which will hike gambling taxes from the original 12% by 1% annually until reaching 15% in 2028.
International gambling advertising prohibitions
Brazil is far from the only nation that has looked at gambling advertising bans, with multiple nations already enacting some level of prohibition.
Since the launch of Canadian sports betting in 2022, some lawmakers have sought to ban, or at least tighten regulations, on gambling advertising nationwide. More than 40 senators made a strong push late last year and the discussions continue.
European nations have also introduced a variety of bans on gambling advertising.
In 2023, Belgium banned all gambling advertising on TV, radio, newspapers and public spaces. The Netherlands enforced similar prohibitions on non-targeted advertising. A new Dutch push could eliminate gambling ads altogether.
Spain began a strict gambling advertising ban in 2020. It has kept gambling advertising largely off TV. The nation also prohibits the use of celebrities and jersey sponsorships.
Italy has had a nationwide ban on TV, radio and digital gambling advertising since 2018.
In South America, Argentina is looking into a full ban of gambling ads and sponsorships.
Pat Evans
Pat covers the legislation and regulation of online gambling in North and South America, having covered the US sports betting industry extensively since 2019.
Original article: https://igamingbusiness.com/online-gaming/brazil-senate-committee-advances-gambling-advertising-prohibition/
