Brazil’s Supreme Court is set to hear a lawsuit from three gambling associations seeking to lift a national ban on fixed-odds betting. Justice Luiz Fux has been designated the rapporteur for the case, which challenges a provisional measure imposed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva prohibiting such betting across the country.
The plaintiffs include the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL), the Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming (IBJR), and the National Association for the Legal Security of Games and Betting (Anseja). They argue that the ban should be paused while Congress reviews the decision or until the Supreme Court delivers a final verdict.
The associations have stated that the immediate effects of the ban are severe and difficult to reverse. They contend that the government has not adequately demonstrated the urgency that warranted the issuance of a provisional ban and emphasize that licensed companies have adhered to regulations and invested significantly in their operations.
In defense of the ban, the government asserts that the measure seeks to address various socio-economic concerns linked to gambling, including addiction and household debt.
As part of the measure's stipulations, bettors are allowed to withdraw their funds from betting platforms by October 5, while betting websites will cease operations starting October 6. Furthermore, for the ban to become law, the legislature must approve the measures within 120 days. The ongoing legal proceedings will ultimately determine whether the restrictions remain in place or are overturned.
