Brazil Senate to vote on gambling promotion ban

Added: April 12, 2024

The Brazilian Senate is set to debate and vote on a bill that would prohibit athletes, celebrities, and social media influencers from endorsing sportsbooks and casinos.

This plan, put out by federal deputy of the Republicanos Party (RP), Ricardo Ayres, is part of a larger effort to tighten advertising regulations ahead of the inauguration of Brazil’s federal sports betting marketplace, or “Bets.”

The purpose of Ayres’ bill, PL 3.405/2023, is to amend PL 3.626/2023, another bill that establishes the legal foundation for the Brazilian betting industry. The suggested amendment would include a clause that would forbid influencers and digital artists from endorsing bookmakers and casinos. Sports teams, athletes, ex-athletes, public figures, celebrities, and influencers are all included in this.

If the new law is passed, media outlets who violate the prohibition against promoting gambling and betting services will face penalties. The explicit ban on public figures advertising was not addressed, even though PL 3.626/2023—which was already approved in January—permitted the submission of extra procedures pertaining to secondary laws, including advertising. Consequently, the Senate will discuss and decide on this particular method.

Both Senator Eduardo Girão and rapporteur Sérgio Petecão have endorsed the initiative, arguing that advertising regulation is necessary to keep gambling addiction from becoming into a public health concern. Petecão stressed the significance of ethical advertising, saying that platforms and influencers alike had to accept accountability for any harm they may create.

It is anticipated that the vote’s result will have a big impact on how media and advertisers shape the future of the Brazilian sports betting industry.

Brazil