On October 1, a bill was introduced in Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies that mandates betting operators to refund customers for their net losses, accounting for inflation and without a specified starting date. Proposed by Federal Deputy Ricardo Abrão, the legislation, known as PL 5,502/2026, aims to ensure that any player whose total deposits surpass their withdrawals is entitled to a refund from the betting operator.
Net loss is defined concerning deposits made and funds withdrawn or recouped from the operator. Once implemented, betting operators will be required to refund the pertinent amounts while adjusting for inflation from the date of the original payment. Notably, no fees, deductions, or similar charges would apply to these refunds.
The proposed law includes additional reimbursement grounds outlined in Article 3, such as unpaid winnings and bets placed by self-excluded players or those made through unauthorized debits. Crucially, players will not have to demonstrate any misconduct on the part of the operator to qualify for a refund of their net losses.
The bill does not specify a starting or cutoff date, raising the possibility that bets made prior to the market's closure may be eligible for refunds. It expands the definition of operators beyond just those holding a Brazilian license.
Nevertheless, the legislation leaves several practical issues unaddressed, including whether refunds would be processed automatically or require a claim and when the calculation of refunds must be finalized. PL 5,502/2026 now moves forward within the legislative processing framework.
