WORLD · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
Brazil Bans Online Gambling, Sets Refund Deadline
WHY IT MATTERS
The ban addresses a $12 billion annual loss to households, high social costs, and widespread addiction, aiming to protect vulnerable citizens and curb illegal gambling operations.
What happened
On September 25, Brazil’s government issued a provisional measure that prohibits the operation, offering, brokering, and advertising of online betting and gaming platforms. The ban takes effect on October 6, with platforms required to shut down and cease accepting new bets. Bettors may withdraw funds until 11:59 p.
m. on October 5; balances not withdrawn will be refunded through banks between October 9 and 14, with Caixa Econômica Federal ready to assist if needed.
The Ministry of Justice, Public Security, and Federal Police will receive additional resources to target illegal sites and freeze related bank accounts. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva described online gambling as a “cancer” that harms families, citing a 2025 loss of USD 12 billion and significant mental‑health costs.
PRIMARY SOURCES
Brazil bans online gambling; bettors to receive refunds
Agencia Brasil · Marcelo Brandão · EBC/Agencia Brasil source terms; facts used for an original brief with link and attribution; images excluded
CORRECTIONS & UPDATES
- Revision 1 · Initial ingestion · Sep 29, 2026, 1:31 AM
- Revision 2 · Source update detected · Sep 29, 2026, 1:31 AM