Flamengo win first STF battle in row over end of betting | OneFootball

Rubro-Negro becomes “friend of the court” in the lawsuit filed by the betting sector and gets ahead of the joint offensive by Brazilian clubs

Supreme Federal Court (STF) Justice Luiz Fux accepted Flamengo’s request on Wednesday (30) to join the case against the provisional measure on betting. With the decision, the club will act as amicus curiae — the so-called friend of the court — in the proceedings.

Provisional Measure 1.394/2026, signed by President Lula on Friday (25), bans the offering and advertising of online betting in the country. Because of this, Flamengo is among the clubs most exposed, since Betano is its main sponsor.

What changes with Flamengo’s entry into the case

As amicus curiae, Flamengo does not become a plaintiff in the case. However, the club gains room to submit data, documents, and arguments to the reporting justice. According to CartaCapital, Fux admitted Rubro-Negro into the actions seeking to suspend the effects of the provisional measure.

The case reached the Supreme Court through an initiative by the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) and the Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming (IBJR). The entities argue that the rule could cause irreversible effects before review by the National Congress. They are therefore asking Fux to examine the matter immediately.

In a statement, Flamengo denied acting to defend its own interests. According to the club, the request is meant so that it “can contribute technically to the debate, from the concrete perspective of one of the sports institutions directly impacted by the measure.” In addition, the text says the initiative seeks to help ensure that the “Supreme Court can broadly assess the concrete consequences of the legislative change for the entire sports ecosystem.”

In the petition, the club estimated losses of up to R$ 430 million in 2027. The document mentions artistic gymnastics, women’s football, volleyball, and basketball among the sports funded by football. Flamengo also argues that a later rejection of the provisional measure would not restore contracts that had already been terminated.

Flamengo moved ahead of the clubs’ movement

According to the newspaper O Globo, Flamengo moved ahead of other Brazilian clubs. Those teams were already organizing to file a joint action with the STF, making the same request to Fux.

Before that, Sinafut went to the Supreme Court against the betting provisional measure on Monday (28). The union requested the suspension of the measure and, alternatively, a transition period until December 31, 2026.

Meanwhile, pressure is growing outside the courts. Club executives even discussed the possibility of stopping the Brasileirão in reaction to the betting ban. Currently, 14 of the 20 Série A clubs have betting companies as their main sponsors.

Betano and the R$ 400 million impact on the club’s finances

Betano pays Flamengo R$ 268.5 million per season under a contract valid through the end of 2028. However, the company has already informally signaled to the club the risk of ending the agreement.

Since the signing of the provisional measure, president Luiz Eduardo Baptista, known as Bap, has publicly criticized the government’s decision. The executive projected a loss of R$ 400 million in revenue for next year. In an interview with FlamengoTV, he summed up the situation:

In the same interview, Bap asked the STF or Congress to strike down the measure. The president also cited the installment-based signing of Lucas Paquetá from West Ham (England) as an example of a commitment at risk.

Next steps in the STF and Congress

Flamengo’s admission does not represent a decision on suspending the provisional measure. On Monday (28), the Office of the Solicitor General of the Union (AGU) requested 72 hours to respond. After that, Fux may decide on his own or take the case to the full court.

Until a decision is made, the rules remain in effect. Bettors may withdraw their balances until 11:59 p.m. on October 5. Starting the following day, platforms will be banned from offering betting and advertising.

In Congress, the provisional measure is valid for 60 days, extendable for another 60. If deputies and senators do not vote on the text within that period, the measure loses its validity. For his part, Lula pushed back against the clubs’ criticism: “In the best moments in football history, there were no bets.”

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