TLDR Brazil’s Workers’ Party filed a bill to completely ban online gambling, ads, and all related transactions across the country Congress is unlikely to move forward with the ban due to upcoming elections and other legislative priorities Regulated betting brought in nearly R$9.95 billion in tax revenue for Brazil’s federal government in 2025 President Lula criticized the gambling industry’s lobbying power, saying “the casino is inside people’s homes” The proposed bill includes fines and imprisonment for violators, but lawmakers are leaning toward targeting illegal operators instead
Brazil’s federal government is trying to shut down online gambling entirely, but Congress doesn’t appear ready to go along with the plan.
The Workers’ Party, known as PT, filed a bill in the Chamber of Deputies that would ban all betting operations in the country. The bill also targets advertisements for betting platforms and would block both physical and digital transactions tied to gambling services.
The push comes from the Executive branch, led by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who has been vocal about his frustration with the gambling industry. Lula said there is too much lobbying happening in Congress, which has blocked efforts to pass tighter rules.
Congress Faces Competing Priorities
Despite the government’s strong stance, early signals from lawmakers suggest the bill is going nowhere fast. Several political parties have made it clear that gambling regulation is not at the top of their agenda right now.
Leaders from PL, PDT, and Republicanos said the issue has taken a back seat. The reason is straightforward. Brazil has elections coming up, and labor law reform is dominating the legislative calendar.
That political reality makes it difficult for the ban to gain traction in the near term. Lawmakers are focused on issues they believe matter more to voters heading into the