Brazil’s Betting Licences Expire as Lula Wins Presidential Re-Election

From exclusive events and interviews to real-time market trends, Ace Alliance brings you unbiased, well-informed, and data-driven content. Our editorial team adheres to strict editorial standards, ensuring that the information you receive is not only relevant but also trustworthy.

Built by market experts hosting events since 2023, with our first event in Riga, Latvia gathering over 300 top level iGaming industry executives, Ace Alliance is able to provide you with reliable information from direct interaction with experts and leaders in the sector.

Altay Celikkaya

Content Manager

Updated: 26/10/26

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Brazil’s regulated betting market reached another turning point on 25 October 2026, as existing federal betting authorisations expired under Provisional Measure 1,394. The deadline coincided with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s re-election, bringing renewed attention to the future of sports betting and online casino operations in the country.

According to Brazil’s Superior Electoral Court (TSE), Lula secured 51.79% of valid votes in the presidential runoff, defeating Flávio Bolsonaro, who received 48.21%.

Brazil's President Lula with the national flag and Brasília skyline amid betting restrictions.

Regulation & Compliance

Key Takeaways From Brazil's Betting Licence Expiry

Lula secured a fourth presidential term in the 25 October election.
Federal fixed-odds betting authorisations expired that day under Provisional Measure 1,394.
The prohibition covers licensed sportsbooks and online casino games, including services targeting Brazilian players from abroad.
Legal challenges and congressional proposals could still change the regulatory framework.
Operators and technology suppliers face uncertainty over whether regulated betting could resume.

Brazil's Betting Authorisations Reach Their Expiry Date

The licence deadline follows Provisional Measure 1,394, introduced on 25 September, which prohibited the operation, promotion and intermediation of fixed-odds betting nationwide. Under the legislation, existing authorisations were scheduled to expire after 30 days, regardless of their original validity periods.

The shutdown had already progressed through several stages. New deposits were prohibited when the measure took effect, and licensed platforms had to become unavailable from 6 October. As Ace Alliance previously reported on Brazil’s betting shutdown and player refunds, operators also faced deadlines to return customer balances and settle outstanding financial obligations.

The 25 October deadline therefore marks the formal expiry of authorisations rather than the initial closure of betting platforms.

Lula's Re-Election Keeps Betting Policy in Focus

The election result comes as Lula continues to support restrictions on online gambling, citing concerns about household debt and gambling-related harm. During a livestream on 22 October, Lula said:

The betting platforms will not return.

However, the election outcome does not resolve the legal challenges surrounding the prohibition. The industry has already challenged aspects of the measure in court. Earlier this month, a federal appellate court overturned Stake’s temporary exemption from Brazil’s betting ban, highlighting the difficulties operators face in securing judicial relief.

Congress and Courts Could Still Shape the Market

The longer-term regulatory position remains unresolved. According to Brazil’s official congressional record for Provisional Measure 1,394, the legislation remains under parliamentary consideration, with an initial deliberation deadline of 23 November.

Lawmakers have submitted proposals that could restore parts of the regulated market, including sports betting.

Ace Alliance previously examined the 99 proposed amendments to Brazil’s betting ban, several of which seek to preserve existing authorisations or allow certain gambling activities to resume.

None of those proposals has yet been approved. For operators, affiliates, payment providers and technology suppliers, the central question is whether Brazil will maintain a comprehensive prohibition or introduce a revised regulatory model.

Lula’s re-election leaves the existing policy direction intact, but future legislation and court decisions will determine whether licensed betting can return.