The São Paulo Football Federation (FPF) and the city’s leading football clubs are opposing two bills that would restrict betting advertising in São Paulo.
The institutions warned that the proposals could have a significant financial impact on teams based in the capital as the FPF estimates that the bills, if approved in their current form, could lead to at least BR1bn in sponsorship renegotiations and contract cancellations.
The main concern for the FPF is that the restrictions would apply specifically to clubs in the city of São Paulo. Teams in other Brazilian states would remain able to receive betting sponsorships under the rules established by the federal government.
The federation argues that this could create an uneven playing field, with São Paulo clubs potentially losing a major source of commercial revenue while national competitors continue to benefit from betting sponsorships.
The proposed rules would prohibit betting advertising in public spaces, sports arenas, bus stops, digital clocks, public transport, public lifts, metro stations and bus terminals. They would also restrict betting sponsorships besides prohibiting advertising on the uniforms of youth teams supported by the municipality.
“If clubs in the city of São Paulo lose revenue from betting brands, one of their main sources of income, while all their opponents from other states can keep it, there will be a disparity that reaches the pitch,” said FPF president Reinaldo Carneiro Bastos.
The FPF has asked the mayor’s office for technical discussions before any sanction, arguing that the economic and sporting effects should be assessed first.
The measures are contained in bills 553/2025 and 560/2025, The proposals have been combined, cleared the Constitution and Justice Committee and are now close to a vote in the City Council
