Brazil’s Attorney General’s Office (AGU) has welcomed a decision by Supreme Court Justice Luiz Fux to suspend judicial proceedings challenging the country’s ban on online betting.
The office argued that the measure will help prevent legal uncertainty.
Justice Fux issued the decision ordering the suspension of all cases involving the prohibition introduced under Provisional Measure 1,394/2026 until the Supreme Federal Court (STF) reviews the challenges currently before it.
“An important decision that seeks to safeguard public order and social peace, preventing legal uncertainty in a matter of great relevance to society,” said AGU Chief Jorge Messias.
Fux’s decision followed a request from the Prosecutor General’s Office (PGR), which warned that divergent court rulings on the betting ban could create legal uncertainty.
In granting the request, Fux said the possibility of multiple and contradictory judicial decisions posed a risk, particularly given the potential authorisation of an activity he described as socially harmful and high-risk.
The suspension will remain in place until the STF examines the cases challenging the restrictions. The decision does not itself resolve the legal disputes or determine the final status of Brazil’s betting ban.
AGU has previously stated it is preparing to sue betting operators to recover public spending on treating people with gambling disorders, seeking around BR1bn ($193m) from about 15 betting operators.
The companies were selected using Health Ministry data that identified practices among these operators that encouraged compulsive gambling.
Since then, the Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming has challenged the basis of the civil action, arguing that the lawsuit lacks elements needed to establish liability.
Minister Luiz Fux has publicly declared his personal stance that online betting sites should be completely banned
