Clubs and federations press president over possible betting curbs

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·24 September 2026

Clubs and federations press president over possible betting curbs

Brazil’s top clubs are sponsored by betting companies

Football clubs and federations in Brazil are arranging a meeting with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to discuss the possible publication of a Provisional Measure that could restrict the activities of betting companies. Club officials fear the measure could directly affect betting companies’ investments in Brazilian football.

The Federal Government is considering banning at least part of betting operators’ activities. Currently, online casino games account for a significant share of these companies’ revenue.

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WHAT DOES THE GOVERNMENT INTEND TO CHANGE ABOUT BETTING COMPANIES?

According to ge, the possible Provisional Measure is not expected to ban sports betting. Even so, clubs believe that restricting online casinos could reduce the financial capacity of some companies.

As a result, club officials fear a drop in investment in football. After all, in recent years, betting companies have taken on an important role in the sponsorship market for Brazilian teams.

For this reason, clubs and federations want to present the measure’s impacts directly to President Lula. The intention is to put pressure on the Federal Government before the possible publication of the PM.

HAVE CLUBS ALREADY SPOKEN OUT AGAINST THE POSSIBLE RESTRICTION?

Last week, the country’s main clubs released a joint statement on the matter. In the document, the teams warned of the possible “end of Brazilian football” if the government moves forward with the measure.

The reaction on social media, however, did not match the clubs’ position. A survey carried out by consultancy firm Bites, at the request of O Globo, found that most comments about the statement were negative.

The study analyzed posts by Corinthians, Flamengo, Palmeiras, Santos, São Paulo, and Vasco. In the case of the São Januário club, more than 90% of comments were against betting companies. In addition, the survey found 86% rejection in Flamengo’s posts. In the posts by the São Paulo clubs, the figure reached 85%.

WHEN COULD THE PROVISIONAL MEASURE BE PUBLISHED?

Initially, there was an expectation that the PM would be published this Monday (21). However, that possibility has diminished. This is because Lula is in New York, in the United States, to take part in the United Nations (UN) General Assembly.

Meanwhile, clubs and federations are seeking a meeting with the president to present their arguments. They also hope to avoid changes that, in the view of club officials, could affect the sponsorship market in Brazilian football.

FLAMENGO SPEAKS OUT

Flamengo, which signed the “end of Brazilian football” letter last Thursday (17), spoke out again on the betting issue on Tuesday (22). The Rubro-Negro made it clear that it supports ending illegal betting companies and backed the Federal Government in this effort.

“Brazilian football is closely following the discussions about the future of the betting market in the country and considers it important to reaffirm a position that has already been clearly presented by the sector’s entities: illegal gambling must be rigorously fought, rather than dismantling the legal market, which is regulated and supervised by the State. Brazil decided to regulate betting. There was a broad discussion process, followed by deliberation and approval by the National Congress, and the regulation established rules for company operations, oversight mechanisms, and consumer protection measures. Since then, clubs and other football stakeholders have made investments and taken on commitments based on the regulatory environment created by the State itself. It is important to remember that any eventual ban or abrupt interruption of this market would not simply mean the loss of future revenue. There are already sponsorship contracts in place, many of them long-term, as well as financial commitments and decisions regarding investment and player signings made on the basis of the regulatory environment established in the country. A change of this nature would put already assumed commitments at risk and could cause a serious financial imbalance for clubs, with a direct impact on the sustainability of Brazilian football. What football sees as inappropriate is replacing the fight against illegality with the abrupt restriction of a market that was legalized, regulated, and taxed by the State itself. The underground market does not offer the same guarantees of oversight, transparency, and protection provided in the regulated environment. Therefore, the path should be to strengthen oversight, improve protection mechanisms, and prevent illegal operators from acting, while preserving legal certainty for those operating within the established rules. In football’s view, this is not a matter of choosing between protecting the population and maintaining the regulated market. It is possible and necessary to do both: fight illegal gambling, improve oversight, strengthen prevention mechanisms, expand consumer information, and ensure care and treatment for people who develop problematic gambling behavior. Protecting the health and well-being of the population must be treated seriously, with evidence-based public policies capable of addressing the different factors that affect the financial, emotional, and social health of Brazilian families. This protection, however, should not be confused with simply replacing a regulated market with an underground environment over which the State has fewer tools for oversight and control. Any change should assess its concrete effects on the population, including the risks of shifting activity to illegal operators, and consider the full set of policies needed to prevent harm, guide consumers, and offer support to those who need it.”

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.