Entities representing the sports betting market have declared that they will appeal to the Judiciary against the Provisional Measure (MP) that determined the prohibition of these activities in Brazil. Furthermore, these associations contest the government's refusal to reimburse the amounts paid by companies regarding operating authorizations in the country.
In a manifesto released this Friday (25), the Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming (IBJR), the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL), and several licensed operators stated that the stance of prohibiting does not equate to protecting. According to these entities, banning already legalized platforms would not prevent betting but could direct users to illegal websites where monitoring and protection mechanisms are nonexistent.
The associations argued that the complete prohibition of fixed-odds betting would constitute a breach of the regulatory framework established by the Brazilian State itself, putting at risk an economic activity that had been operating under authorization, supervision, and rules defined by the Federal Government since January 2025.
Carlos Lima, executive president of IBJR, confirmed the intention to take legal action, telling CNN that the entities intend to use judicial avenues.
A second point of contention involves the capital invested by companies to obtain operating licenses. Each authorized platform made a payment of R$ 30 million for a concession to operate legally in Brazil, with the original permit having a validity expected until the end of 2029.
For its part, Finance Minister Dario Durigan informed this Friday that the government will not return these amounts. He justified that the authorization granted in 2024 constituted a 'precarious relationship valid for that moment.' Durigan added that there will be no need to compensate for lost revenue with the closure of betting, as household spending would be reallocated to other areas of the economy. The minister stressed that collection was never the main focus, mentioning that the issue of immunity was only resolved during the Bolsonaro government.
ANJL, for its part, indicated that any judicial litigation will seek more than just the return of the concessions. According to Plínio Lemos Jorge, president of ANJL, companies may claim compensation for investments made in the national territory and for moral damages.
Jorge detailed that the concession represents a counterpayment paid by the companies for the exploitation of the fixed-odds betting service for five years. Thus, the request for reimbursement would encompass not only the R$ 30 million but also compensation for material losses resulting from all the sector's contributions to the country, in addition to moral damages.
In the manifesto, ANJL also warned that the immediate closure of the legal market compromises investments, jobs, and tax revenue generated by the segment. The entity maintained that the companies fulfilled all legal obligations and that the decision imposes legal uncertainty on investors.
