Brazil’s provisional measure banning fixed-odds betting has begun its passage through Congress, with lawmakers already proposing changes to the government’s new restrictions.
Six amendments had been submitted, with five coming from Congressman Beto Preto and one from Congressman Bruno Ganem.
One of Preto’s proposals would introduce a transition period for companies that have already paid for betting licences. Under the amendment, existing authorisations would remain valid until their originally established expiry dates, although they could not be renewed or extended.
Another proposal would create an “Interinstitutional Committee for the Oversight of Illegal Fixed-Odds Betting and Advertising”, coordinated by the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. The body would coordinate authorities’ efforts to prevent, monitor and repress illegal betting operations and advertising.
Preto has also proposed transferring funds that remain unclaimed by bettors after 180 days to the National Health Fund.
Ganem’s amendment would instead direct amounts declared forfeited as a result of illegal betting activity, including taxes, fines and other penalties, to the National Public Security Fund and the Ministry of Health, specifically supporting SUS services related to gambling disorder.
The amendments will be considered by a rapporteur, who can incorporate or reject them in their report.
Congress has not yet established the joint committee responsible for the first stage of the MP’s analysis, nor decided who will serve as its chair and rapporteur.
Meanwhile, the MP remains in immediate effect. New deposits are prohibited, while bettors can withdraw remaining balances until 23:59 on October 5. Betting sites are due to be blocked on October 6.
Brazil’s Federal Government has begun using WhatsApp to directly warn citizens about the end of betting operations in the country
