"The end of Brazilian football" – Clubs push back on potential iGaming ban

Several of Brazil's leading football clubs have published a joint statement defending the country's regulated betting market.

The note comes in response to a possible Federal Government provisional measure banning online casino games; it was published by the São Paulo Football Federation (FPF) alongside football clubs Palmeiras, Santos and São Paulo, as well as the Rio de Janeiro Football Federation, Botafogo, Flamengo, Fluminense, Vasco and Cruzeiro.

The statement was published with a picture saying ‘The end of Brazilian football.’

Recently, FPF and the city's leading football clubs have separately opposed two bills that would restrict betting advertising in São Paulo.

“Restricting the sector will not make betting cease to exist. It will only pave the way for consumers to migrate entirely to clandestine platforms that do not pay taxes, do not respect limits, do not offer protection mechanisms, and do not cooperate with the authorities,” said the joint statement.

“The consequence will not only be an open door for clandestine betting, but a fatal blow for Brazilian football, leading many clubs to insolvency. This, not to mention the legal and professional uncertainty that the measure would entail, especially for regularly signed contracts and plans built under the regulatory framework approved by the National Congress and established by the State itself,” added the document.

The provisional measure's text is reportedly finalized and could be published as early as next Tuesday, though a faction within the government is pushing President Lula to ban only specific games rather than online casino products broadly. 

“The football sector is at the disposal of the Federal Government, the National Congress, and State and Municipal Authorities to collaborate on more efficient mechanisms for education and awareness. If the regulated market is ended, betting does not end. Football is what ends,” concluded the statement.