Politics · Brazil · 1 day ago
Brazil prosecutor asks Supreme Court to pause cases challenging betting ban
Brazil’s prosecutor general Paulo Gonet asked the Supreme Court to pause all cases challenging the betting ban while the court considers whether it is constitutional.
He wants the cases to remain suspended until the court reaches a final decision.
The ban was introduced by a temporary measure from President Lula’s government in September, ending sports betting and online casino operations across Brazil.
Betting industry groups argue that abruptly ending a previously legal market violates constitutional protections, including fair competition and legal certainty.
Lower courts have issued differing emergency rulings, including one that briefly allowed three betting companies to resume operating before the order was suspended.
The government says the ban is needed to limit harm to health and family finances, while sports groups warn of lost income, job risks and more illegal betting.
The Supreme Court has held a public hearing and will decide whether the ban is valid, but no ruling date is given.
Brazil’s prosecutor-general, Paulo Gonet, asked the Supreme Federal Court to suspend lawsuits across the country challenging the ban on fixed-odds sports betting.
The request was sent on Friday, November 6, and seeks a pause until the court issues a final ruling on the constitutional dispute.
The PGR said lawsuits and urgent rulings by lower courts were creating legal uncertainty and uneven application of the ban.
The court held a public hearing on November 3 to hear from government bodies, sports organizations and business groups about the ban’s effects.
- Who
- Brazil’s prosecutor-general, Paulo Gonet, asked the Supreme Federal Court to suspend the cases.
- What
- The PGR seeks to pause lawsuits challenging the ban on fixed-odds sports betting. It wants the pause to last until the court gives a final ruling.
- When
- Friday, November 6, 2026.
- Where
- Brazil; the request was made to the Supreme Federal Court in Brasília.
- Why
- The PGR said the lawsuits and differing lower-court rulings were creating legal uncertainty and uneven application of the ban.
Brazilian government
Betting-industry and sports-sector critics
Effect of the ban
Brazilian government
The government said the ban was needed to limit harm to health and household finances.
Betting-industry and sports-sector critics
Critics said banning the activity would not remove demand and could drive consumers to illegal platforms.
Economic consequences
Brazilian government
The government said regulation had not provided sufficient oversight or protection for bettors.
Betting-industry and sports-sector critics
Sports organizations warned of financial losses and job risks, including reduced betting sponsorship income.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva issued the provisional measure banning online casinos and fixed-odds sports betting.
The Supreme Federal Court held a public hearing on the ban’s effects.
The PGR asked the Supreme Federal Court to suspend lawsuits challenging the ban.
The president of the Federal Regional Court of the 3rd Region suspended a ruling that had allowed three CDA Gaming betting houses to resume operating.
- Requester
- Brazil’s Prosecutor-General’s Office (PGR)
- Prosecutor-general
- Paulo Gonet
- Court
- Supreme Federal Court (STF)
- Request date
- November 6, 2026
- Measure
- Provisional Measure No. 1,394/2026
- Public hearing
- November 3, 2026
3 sources
What people are saying
The proliferation of lawsuits over the constitutional validity of Provisional Measure No. 1,394/2026, despite the issue already being before the Supreme Federal Court, creates legal uncertainty and uneven application of the rule to those it affects.