The city of Teresina has enacted a new law banning the advertising of betting platforms and online gambling across public spaces, marking another step in tightening restrictions at the municipal level in Brazil.
Under the legislation, betting-related promotion is now prohibited across a wide range of publicly owned assets and services.
This includes schools, healthcare facilities, transport hubs, public vehicles, parks, sports venues and cultural centres, as well as any events supported or sponsored by the city government.
The law also prevents the municipality from entering into sponsorship agreements or naming rights deals with betting companies, effectively removing operators from branding opportunities tied to public infrastructure.
In addition, the city is barred from accepting donations or benefits from betting companies if they require brand exposure in return.
Beyond direct advertising, the regulation extends to indirect promotion. The use of colours, symbols or characters that could be associated with betting brands in a subliminal way is also restricted, signalling a stricter interpretation of what constitutes advertising.
The legislation defines virtual betting as any electronic transaction in which users stake money in expectation of a prize, while online gambling is characterised as activity dependent primarily on chance.
In Brasília, lawmakers are advancing a bill that would ban betting advertising across the country, including television, digital platforms and sports sponsorships. The proposal has already cleared one Senate committee and is awaiting further analysis.
In Teresina, exceptions are made for official state or federal lotteries, as well as public awareness campaigns focused on gambling risks and financial education.
The new rules are already in force and must be incorporated into all future public tenders and contracts issued by the city.
In Belo Horizonte, a different municipality in Brazil, a bill aiming to ban betting advertising has already passed its first round of voting
