Brazil’s Congress has extended the deadline for voting on the country’s betting ban until March 2027, giving lawmakers additional time to consider the controversial provisional measure introduced by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The extension comes as opposition lawmakers continue submitting amendments aimed at changing the legislation. According to NEXT.io’s analysis, 94 amendments remain active out of the 99 originally filed, with 20 proposals from three committee members seeking to soften the restrictions.
The three lawmakers are Liberal Party (PL) deputies Capitão Alden and Rodrigo Valadares, alongside Senator Dr. Hiran from the Progressistas (PP). The remaining 22 committee members have submitted just one amendment between them.
Constitutional Extension Delays Final Decision
Lula introduced the betting ban through provisional measure MP 1.394/2026 on 25 September. Congress President Davi Alcolumbre subsequently signed the 60-day extension, which was published in Brazil’s official gazette, the Diário Oficial da União, on 11 November.
The extension is automatic under Article 62 of the Brazilian Constitution. It applies when Congress fails to complete the voting process on a provisional measure within its initial 60-day period.
The additional period begins on 24 November and pauses during the parliamentary recess from 23 December to 1 February.
Although the measure has been classified as urgent since 9 November, the joint committee responsible for examining it has not yet been formally established. The committee will consist of deputies and senators and must prepare a report before the measure proceeds to votes in both chambers.
Opposition Lawmakers Seek Changes to the Ban
Capitão Alden has submitted 17 active amendments, 15 of which aim to soften the restrictions. His proposals include preserving licensed sports betting and online casino operations, restoring revoked licences, refunding licence fees and allowing certain forms of advertising.
Rodrigo Valadares has filed four amendments, focusing on exemptions for derivatives and prediction markets, limiting website-blocking orders and restricting sanctions against internet platforms to court-imposed measures.
Dr. Hiran has proposed allowing sports betting while maintaining a prohibition on online casino games and other digital gambling products.
In contrast, Senator Tabata Amaral of the PSB has introduced an amendment focused on providing public healthcare for people experiencing gambling-related problems.
Legal Uncertainty Remains for Operators
The legislative process is unfolding alongside a separate constitutional challenge at Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court (STF). On 8 November, Justice Luiz Fux suspended lower-court proceedings challenging the ban until the STF determines whether the provisional measure is constitutional.
The deadline extension also raises questions about what happens if Congress fails to approve the measure. In that scenario, the provisional measure would lose effect, and the original 2023 Betting Law would apply again. However, previously revoked licences, website blocks and fines would not automatically be reversed.
Operators that paid R$30 million for five-year licences would also not receive automatic refunds. One proposed amendment seeks to restore revoked licences and compensate operators for the time lost under the ban.
Congress must now establish its joint committee and complete the review before the extended deadline expires.
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