Brazil's Supreme Court Sets Date for Nationwide Betting Ban Hearing

Justice Luiz Fux of Brazil's Supreme Federal Court has called a public hearing for Nov. 3 on the country's nationwide betting ban, and he left the ban in force while he listens.

The hearing will help decide whether a legal market can reopen. Its licensed sites went offline on Oct. 6, and their federal licenses lapsed on Oct. 25. Soccer has a lot riding on it: betting sponsors supplied 7.9% of top-flight Série A clubs' revenue in 2025, according to figures reported by Yogonet.

Fux Hears 26 Groups Before Ruling

The order came in a constitutional challenge brought by the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) and the Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming (IBJR). The two groups want the ban suspended at once and struck down for good.

Fux signed the order on Oct. 26 and did not rule on suspending the ban. Until a court says otherwise, it stays in effect, according to multiple Brazilian legal reports.

The hearing starts at 10 a.m. with 26 participants. They include the Finance Ministry, the government's lawyers, the country's top prosecutor and the national soccer federation. Ten clubs are invited, among them Flamengo, Corinthians and São Paulo. Poder360 reported that Fux added the Sports Ministry and the Brazilian Olympic Committee on Oct. 27.

Congress Holds the Other Key

The government's own lawyers asked for the hearing. They argued that new evidence since the court's last betting hearing, held in November 2024, justifies a fresh debate.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed the ban on Sept. 25 as an emergency decree. That kind of measure takes effect at once, but Congress can still keep, change or reject it while the court case runs.

Folha de S.Paulo reported that the hearing could explore a deal that keeps sports betting but bans online casinos and slots. Brasília weighed that same split before choosing a full ban. The court has set no date for a ruling after the Nov. 3 hearing.

Treat gambling as entertainment you pay for. 18+, and if it stops feeling like entertainment, help exists at BeGambleAware and GamCare.