A bill proposing a nationwide ban on betting advertising has advanced in Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies, prompting concern from football organisations over potential financial consequences for the sport.
The proposal, authored by deputy Saulo Pedroso and now under urgent consideration following a request supported by deputy Rodrigo Gambele, aims to prohibit advertising and sponsorship agreements involving betting operators across all media channels.
In the bill, Pedroso argues that the measure is intended to protect vulnerable groups from the social effects associated with gambling.
“The present bill aims to protect Brazilian citizens, especially the most vulnerable, from the harmful impacts of sports betting and online gambling, which have rapidly expanded in Brazil,” he states, citing risks such as addiction, indebtedness and mental health issues.
The advancement of the proposal has triggered a response from the Federal District Football Federation (FFDF) and the National Football Union (Sinafut), which issued a joint statement highlighting the potential economic disruption to Brazilian football.
According to the organizations, a significant share of clubs and competitions, not only the major ones, currently rely on betting-related sponsorships.
They warned that an abrupt ban could result in a “disastrous economic impact” on the sector, affecting not only clubs but also professionals and industries connected to football.
The statement also questioned the effectiveness of the measure, arguing that it does not align with educational or preventive approaches to addressing gambling-related risks. The entities noted that removing a major source of funding could have wider consequences for the football ecosystem.
If approved, the bill would introduce penalties for non-compliance, including fines of up to BR150,000 ($29,379), temporary suspension of advertising permissions for up to 60 days and restrictions on renewing sponsorship agreements involving betting companies.
Operators have played a central role in football sponsorship growth, driving a 125% increase in lead shirt deals across Brazil’s top division
