Clubs in Brazil are protesting the Brazilian government’s ban on online betting: Flamengo players wore shirts reading “Prohibiting is not protecting” in place of their main betting sponsor’s branding during Thursday’s Brasileirão match against Santos.
The message was placed below the club crest, where the shirt normally carries the sponsor’s brand, and the same phrase appeared on the advertising boards around the pitch.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed Provisional Measure 1,394/2026 on September 25, prohibiting the operation, offering, intermediation and advertising of online betting and gambling platforms in Brazil.
The measure also applies to state-authorized operators; bettors had until October 5 to withdraw available funds, and platforms had to go offline from October 6.
Congress must approve the measure within 120 days for it to remain in force. However, on October 8, a federal court granted Stake temporary permission to continue operating until October 25 while legal proceedings continue.
Flamengo opposed the move in a statement published on September 25. “The game will not end with a stroke of a pen,” the club said, arguing that dismantling the regulated market would undermine legal certainty and push activity into the illegal market.
The club added that the measure would eliminate the part of the market Brazil can regulate, oversee and tax.
Fluminense also called for a transition period in the event of changes to the regulatory framework. In a statement, the club said: “We defend, at a minimum, an adequate transition period in case there are changes.”
Fluminense cited the financial impact of an abrupt change, noting that its official stores held six months’ worth of shirts bearing its main sponsor’s brand.
Flávio Bolsonaro, an opposition presidential candidate, accused Lula of “electoral fraud” over the announcement. He criticized the timing of the measure, saying Lula had announced the ban just nine days before the first round of voting.
14 of the 20 Série A clubs carry a betting brand on the front of their shirts
