Brazil Senate Advances Total Gambling Advertising Ban Bill

A comprehensive gambling advertising ban has advanced through Brazil’s Science and Technology Committee (CCT), moving the legislation one step closer to becoming law.

The bill would amend existing legislation (Bill 3563/2024) to prohibit all forms of gambling promotion, including sponsorship of sports teams and advertisements in stadiums. The proposed restrictions extend across traditional and digital media platforms, effectively banning gambling promotions on television, radio, newspapers, and websites.

Comprehensive Advertising Restrictions

Under the proposed legislation, operators would face strict penalties for non-compliance with the advertising ban. Violations would initially result in warnings, followed by fines ranging from BRL5,000 to BRL10 million. Regulatory authorities would also have the power to suspend or revoke gaming licenses for repeated or severe infractions.

The bill includes additional provisions specifically targeting election betting, proposing to ban wagers on elections and referendums entirely. Operators allowing such bets would face fines of BRL500,000.

Regulatory Rationale

Senator Damares Alves, who presented the bill, outlined concerns about the social impact of gambling advertising in Brazil.

“The aggressive advertising of fixed-odds betting and online games plays a central role in the expansion of the market and the capture of new bettors, including children, adolescents and people in situations of social vulnerability,” Alves stated. “This is not merely an entertainment activity, but a sector that, driven by massive and highly targeted campaigns, contributes to over-indebtedness, the worsening of mental disorders and the breakdown of thousands of Brazilian households.”

Legislative Path Forward

The bill now advances to the Constitution and Justice Committee (CCJ) for further review. If approved by the CCJ, the legislation will proceed to the Senate Plenary for a vote. Following Senate approval, the bill would require passage by the Chamber of Deputies and presidential approval to become law.

Brazil has been developing its regulated gambling market framework, with the country having legalized sports betting in recent years. This advertising ban proposal represents a significant shift toward stricter market controls, similar to measures implemented in several European jurisdictions.

Source: Senado Notícias