Congress president extends betting ban amendment deadline in Brazil

Brazilian Congress president Davi Alcolumbre has extended the deadline for lawmakers to submit amendments to the provisional measure prohibiting fixed-odds betting, giving deputies and senators additional time to propose changes to the government’s recently introduced ban.

The deadline for amendments to Provisional Measure 1,394/2026 was extended from 1 October to 13 October. The decision cited the need to ensure full and equal parliamentary participation in legislative activities during the general election period. Amendments may now be submitted until 23:59 on 13 October.

The measure, issued by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on 25 September, prohibits the operation, offering, intermediation and advertising of fixed-odds betting throughout Brazil. It covers betting on real sporting events and online games, including services offered from abroad to people located in Brazil.

A mixed committee of senators and deputies has been designated to examine the measure. By 2 October, lawmakers had filed 42 amendments, although four had subsequently been withdrawn, leaving 38 active proposals. Further amendments may be submitted before the extended deadline.

Several amendments seek to narrow the prohibition so that it applies primarily to online casino games and slots, while allowing licensed sports betting on final results, scores and collective match statistics to continue. Other proposals would introduce longer transition periods, preserve existing football sponsorship arrangements for up to 24 months or allow operators to retain their authorisations for the periods for which they originally paid.

Further amendments propose stronger responsible gambling controls, changes to enforcement arrangements and the allocation of gambling related funds to health or public security programmes. None of the proposals has been adopted, and the mixed committee’s rapporteur may accept, modify or reject them when preparing the report on the measure.

The congressional process could alter the prohibition or its implementation before the measure is converted into law. Provisional measures take effect immediately but require subsequent congressional approval to become permanent legislation.

Under the current timetable, MP 1,394 will enter the urgency regime on 9 November, with its initial deliberation period ending on 23 November. Its validity may be extended once for a further 60 days if the Chamber of Deputies and Senate have not completed their consideration during the initial period.

The measure has also prompted legal challenges from betting sector representatives. The Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming and the National Association of Games and Lotteries have asked the Supreme Federal Court to suspend the MP or, alternatively, extend the transition period.

The extended amendment window gives lawmakers additional time to propose changes to the scope, implementation and transitional provisions of the ban while the measure remains in force.