Brazil Targets 20 December Deadline for Congress to Approve Betting Ban.
The Brazilian government wants Congress to approve Provisional Measure (MP) No. 1,394/2026, which proposes banning fixed-odds betting, by 20 December. José Guimarães, Minister of the Secretariat of Institutional Relations (SRI), announced the target during a press conference on 27 October.
However, Congress has not yet formed the joint committee responsible for reviewing the measure.
The proposed betting ban ranks among three key government priorities for the end of the year. The other proposals include a Public Security constitutional amendment (PEC) and a constitutional amendment to introduce free public transport, known as Tarifa Zero. The government also wants Congress to approve the 2027 national budget.
Speaking at the press conference, Guimarães said the government would consider progress on the three proposals a significant achievement.
“If we vote on these three issues, we are already satisfied,” he said.
He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the betting measure, stating: “We will not give this up.”
What Brazil’s Proposed Betting Ban Covers
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva issued MP 1,394 on 25 September 2026. Brazil’s government published the measure in an additional edition of the Official Gazette on the same day.
The proposal seeks to prohibit the operation, offering, intermediation and advertising of fixed-odds betting across Brazil. It also establishes plans for an Interinstitutional Oversight Committee to supervise betting activities and amends Law No. 14,790/2023, which created the country’s regulated betting market.
A provisional measure takes effect immediately after publication. However, Congress must approve it and convert it into law for it to remain valid.
The latest proposal follows an earlier initiative by Brazil’s Workers’ Party, which introduced a bill in April seeking to ban fixed-odds betting.
Read Also: Brazil’s Betting Ban Debate Enters a New Phase After Lula’s Re-election.
94 Amendments Await Committee Review
The National Congress record shows that lawmakers have yet to establish the joint committee for MP 1,394. Congress has also not appointed a committee chair or rapporteur.
Lawmakers initially submitted 99 amendments to the measure. Five legislators later withdrew their proposals, leaving 94 amendments for review.
The proposals suggest several possible changes to the ban. They include limiting betting to live sporting events, restricting the ban to unlicensed operators, refunding licence fees and compensating companies that have already paid for federal betting authorisations.
The committee’s review will help determine the final shape of the legislation.
What Happens Next?
MP 1,394 will enter an urgency phase on 9 November. This status gives the measure priority on the legislative agenda of the chamber reviewing it and can delay other business until lawmakers hold a vote.
The measure’s initial 60-day validity period ends on 23 November. Congress can automatically extend it by another 60 days if lawmakers have not completed their review.
Brazil’s congressional recess, scheduled from 23 December to 1 February, will also affect the timeline. The recess suspends the countdown, potentially pushing the final decision deadline into March 2027.
The government continues to target 20 December for approval. However, Congress must first establish the joint committee and review the 94 proposed amendments.
