TLDR Brazil launched the “Novo Desenrola” debt relief program on May 9, 2026, targeting debt tied to online betting New rules ban credit operations linked to placing bets, closing loopholes in the Pix payment system As of May 15, major banks Bradesco and Banco do Brasil still allowed credit-based betting transactions Brazilian household debt reached 80.4%, the highest level since tracking began in 2010 Enforcement faces challenges because betting operators say they cannot tell if incoming Pix payments are credit-based
The Brazilian government has rolled out a new debt relief program that takes direct aim at the link between online gambling and rising consumer debt across the country.
The program, called “Novo Desenrola,” was introduced on May 9, 2026. It includes a provision under Article 16 that bans the use of credit operations directly tied to transferring money for placing bets.
The rule targets a loophole in Brazil’s Pix payment system. Gamblers have been using credit-based Pix transactions to fund deposits with betting operators, effectively borrowing money to gamble.
How Credit-Based Betting Payments Work
The process involves a bank running a transaction from a customer’s credit card, adding a service fee, and sending the money to a recipient through Pix. The recipient gets paid right away, but the borrower must repay the debt later, often with interest.
A second method involves personal loans taken from banks and sent directly to betting platforms.
The term “Pix credit” is not officially recognized. The product is not regulated by either the Central Bank or the government.
A check by Folha de S.Paulo found that as of May 15, two of Brazil’s largest banks, Bradesco and Banco do Brasil, still allowed credit transactions for betting purposes. The check covered the apps of the country’s 10 biggest financial institutions.
The backdrop to