The Integrated Consumer Defense Center of Espírito Santo (Cindec) has called on athletes, broadcasters and influencers to reassess their betting advertising contracts as scrutiny of gambling promotions intensifies in Brazil.
The consumer body notified figures including Neymar, Vinicius Junior, Galvão Bueno, Casimiro Miguel, Adriane Galisteu, Luciano Huck and Léo Santana. It recommended that contracts be suspended or terminated where operators cannot demonstrate regulatory compliance and adequate consumer protection measures.
Cindec said the measure is preventive and does not determine that individual campaigns are illegal. However, continued promotion following notification could be considered in future administrative or judicial proceedings.
Recipients have been given 10 business days to state whether their advertising relationships will continue and whether promotional materials comply with applicable restrictions.
The intervention comes two months after Brazil strengthened its federal framework for fixed-odds betting advertising.
Rules introduced in July expanded responsibility to agents involved in promoting betting services, allowing consumer protection authorities to act against parties beyond licensed operators where advertising practices are considered abusive.
Federal requirements also mandate gambling-risk warnings covering at least 10% of an advertisement and prohibit advertising directed at minors.
Promotions cannot feature elements designed to appeal to children or appear in environments predominantly attended by under-18s.
The measures build on Brazil's regulated betting framework, under which nationally operating fixed-odds betting businesses require authorization from the Ministry of Finance's Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (SPA).
The Ministry said 85 companies had received authorization as of July.
Cindec's recommendation also cited research on the social effects of gambling, including an estimate of BR$38.8bn (US$7.5bn) in annual social costs. Its action coincides with further intervention at municipal level.
Ribeirão Preto introduces gambling addiction statute
Ribeirão Preto's new Municipal Statute to Combat Gambling Addiction establishes prevention, treatment and advertising oversight measures, while the city had already prohibited sports betting advertising in certain public and collectively accessed spaces.
Neymar is among the most prominent Brazilian athletes associated with betting advertising through his relationship with Blaze. Vinicius Junior promotes Betnacional, while Galvão Bueno has also worked with the operator.
In November 2025, Neymar faced criticism following a Blaze campaign in which he encouraged followers to view gambling as entertainment rather than an investment. His relationship with the operator reportedly began in 2022 with annual payments of at least $15m.
Brazilian law prohibits betting advertisements featuring celebrity statements that suggest gambling contributes to personal or social success
