Betting companies licensed in Brazil staged a collective protest at football stadiums over the recent ban on online betting. This demonstration unfolded during matches on Friday and Saturday, with participants from the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) and the Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR) utilizing field-side advertising boards to communicate their opposition. Prominent among the slogans displayed were phrases such as "To prohibit is not to protect" and "The ban doesn't end gambling."
This action is a direct response to Provisional Measure 1,394, which prohibits online betting across the country. Protests occurred during notable matches including São Paulo against Santos on Friday and Atlético-MG versus Bragantino on Saturday, both of which feature teams affected by the government’s decision.
The provisional measure not only threatens current sponsorships but also disrupts future planning for upcoming seasons, affecting negotiations and investor confidence in sports.
Plínio Lemos Jorge, president of ANJL, emphasized that a regulated environment with defined rules is crucial for clubs and stakeholders to make long-term investment plans. Likewise, Carlos Lima, president of IBJR, underscored the importance of ensuring that any changes maintain predictability within a market designed around state-granted permits.
The manifesto, co-signed by ANJL, IBJR, and licensed operators, argues that the ban fails to eliminate betting but rather strips away protections designed for bettors. The Ministry of Finance has reported that approximately 31 million individuals were actively engaging with licensed betting platforms, with most participating in recreational and responsible gambling.
Since the introduction of the provisional measure on September 25, the illegal betting market has expanded significantly. The manifesto alerts to the risks posed by unregulated betting, which organized crime exploits, targeting vulnerable populations. Data from Legitbet, ANJL's monitoring platform, identified 6,401 illegal websites active between September 22 and 28, along with 811 links to these sites across monitored channels.
Prior to the ban, the illegal market already made up 41% of the betting volume in Brazil; now, projections suggest it could encompass 100%. Consulting firm LCA estimates a potential revenue loss of up to BRL73 billion ($14 billion) between 2027 and 2030 if all demand migrates to illegal operators.
ANJL and IBJR reiterated concerns regarding household debt and gambling-related problems, asserting that a well-regulated market is better positioned to manage these issues. They expressed readiness to discuss measures including deposit limits, advertising restrictions, mental health support, and more rigorous actions against illegal websites—regulations that cannot be applied to clandestine operations. They argue that prohibition does not offer protection to bettors; rather, it drives them into unregulated, dangerous environments.
