Brazil's Betting Ban: Licensed Sites Go Dark as Stake Wins Short Reprieve

Brazil's regulated online betting and casino market — only launched in 2025 — has been largely switched off. Provisional Measure 1.394/26, published on 25 September 2026, bans fixed-odds betting (the legal category covering Brazil's licensed sportsbooks and online casino games), ordered platforms offline within ten days and ends existing authorisations after 30 days.^[1] Licensed operators' websites have been offline since 6 October, and existing licences are due to expire on 25 October.^[2]

Stake's reprieve

On 8 October, a federal judge in São Paulo partially granted Stake Brazil an injunction. Until 25 October (or a further decision), authorities may not treat Stake's authorisation as terminated or block its site solely because of the measure's early end date. Stake's Brazilian site came back online the same day.

Update: on 9 October, the Federal Regional Court of the 3rd Region (TRF-3) suspended the injunction at the request of Brazil's Attorney General's Office, reasoning that letting one operator keep taking bets while competitors were shut would create regulatory inequality. Stake's site and app have been unavailable again since 10 October.

The injunction comes with 12 conditions, including keeping identity, age and anti-money-laundering checks, responsible-gambling and self-exclusion controls, no new promotions or sign-up bonuses, open withdrawals and funds set aside for player balances. The judge didn't rule on whether the measure itself is constitutional. As far as reported, Stake is the only operator to have sought such an injunction.

The Supreme Court — and the election

Challenges to the measure sit with Justice Luiz Fux at Brazil's Supreme Federal Court (STF). According to reports, he is expected to delay any decision until after the presidential run-off on 25 October, to avoid accusations of favouring either candidate. Congress has 120 days to vote on the measure — and because the countdown pauses during recess, it could stay in force until March 2027.

Football clubs, broadcasters and the industry's trade bodies argue the sudden ban creates legal uncertainty; licensed operators have displayed the slogan "Proibir não é proteger" ("Prohibiting is not protecting") at league matches.

Why it matters beyond Brazil

Brazil was one of the world's biggest new regulated markets, and international operators invested heavily in licences. A sudden reversal is a reminder that regulation can change fast — and that the safest place to play is always a site licensed where you live. Read our guide to choosing a safe online casino.