Brazil’s 85 betting licences lapse with no refunds
LCA & Cruz Consulting put the knock-on effect of operators’ investment at up to R$28bn.
The hit
Brazil’s 85 federal betting licences, held by 82 companies, expired on 25 October with no refund, after the 30-day window in President Lula’s MP 1.394/2026 ran out, according to Yogonet. Almost 190 brands lost authorisation; operators had paid R$30m per licence plus a R$5m deposit each.
Why it matters
Operators now face a legal vacuum: Congress has not yet formed the committee to review the measure, & the Supreme Court has not ruled on an injunction request. IBJR CEO Carlos Lima said the situation around expired authorisations remains open: “The scenario is legally uncertain.”
The record
| Grant fees paid | R$2.55bn ($510m) by operators for licences (IBJR) |
|---|---|
| Share capital invested | R$7.5bn ($1.5bn) by operators (IBJR) |
| Jobs lost | 3,500+ in first 14 days of MP (ANJL survey) |
| Revenue at risk 2027-2030 | up to R$73bn ($14.6bn) (LCA Consultoria) |
| Illegal sites found | 221 new clandestine addresses, 9-12 October (ANJL’s Legitbet) |
| Congress deadline | 25 November, or early March 2027 with extension |
What happens next
IBJR & ANJL sued at the Supreme Federal Court seeking to suspend the MP; football clubs & Abert also sued. The AGU wants the MP kept in force until any hearing.
Sources: Brazil’s 85 betting licenses expire without refund before Congress and STF act
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