Brazil has introduced new rules governing fixed-odds sports betting, formally prohibiting wagers on competitions involving minors while clarifying which sporting events can be offered by licensed operators.
The regulation, issued by the Ministry of Sport, establishes that any competition involving underage athletes or youth categories is excluded from betting markets.
The restriction applies across all sports, regardless of scale or popularity, and is intended to reduce risks linked to integrity, exposure and potential pressure on young participants.
In addition to the ban, the framework defines which sports are eligible for fixed-odds betting. Only competitions recognized by official governing bodies can be included, covering a range of Olympic and Paralympic disciplines, as well as events linked to international federations.
This includes major sports such as football, volleyball, athletics and swimming, alongside others like MMA, beach tennis, motorsport and chess. Esports competitions are also permitted, provided they are officially authorized by the respective game publishers.
By contrast, non-professional or unregulated events are excluded from betting markets under the new rules, limiting operator offerings to formally recognised competitions.
The Ministry of Sport indicated that the list of permitted modalities may be updated over time, reflecting changes in the sporting landscape and the recognition of new disciplines.
Alongside operational rules, policymakers are also debating stricter limitations on advertising and market exposure, signalling a tightening regulatory environment for operators, which could affect sponsorships on sports.
These measures are part of ongoing efforts to structure the Brazilian sector, with a focus on safeguarding vulnerable groups and reinforcing trust in the market.
The bill to ban betting advertising has advanced to the Senate’s Constitution and Justice Committee for further analysis
