TITLE: Brazil's Federal Government Establishes Advertising Rules and Consumer Protections for Sports Betting
BODY:
On July 10, 2026, Brazil's federal government published Interministerial Ordinance MF/SECOM/MJSP No. 73, which regulates advertising, communication, and marketing of fixed-odds sports betting. The ordinance, jointly signed by the Ministers of Finance, the Secretariat of Social Communication of the Presidency of the Republic, and Justice and Public Security, came into effect immediately upon publication in the Official Gazette of the Union (DOU).
The regulation establishes comprehensive obligations for betting operators, producers, distributors, sponsors, and media outlets that disseminate or promote betting-related advertising. It prohibits numerous advertising practices deemed abusive, deceptive, or fraudulent, including promotion of unauthorised operators, display of winning bets, presentation of gambling as a source of income or investment, and false information about odds. Advertisements suggesting easy money, encouraging excessive gambling, or containing urgent calls to action are also forbidden. The ordinance provides particular protection for children and adolescents, classifying all gambling advertising directed at minors as abusive. It prohibits advertisements featuring minors under 18 years of age or associating gambling with activities targeting young people. App stores and operating systems must prevent children's and teenagers' accounts from accessing betting applications, while social media platforms must block minors' access to gambling advertising content.
Before broadcasting any betting advertisement, entities involved in the advertising chain must verify the advertiser's authorisation using the official list maintained by the Secretariat of Prizes and Betting (Ministry of Finance). Advertisers must clearly display the authorised operator's identification and authorisation number on their interface. The National Consumer Secretariat, in conjunction with the National Consumer Protection System, enforces the regulation. Infractions may result in suspension or cancellation of registration in the National Registry of Advertising Media Agents (Midiacad), with offenders guaranteed the right to fair hearing and full defense.
REFERENCE:
Interministerial Ordinance MF/SECOM/MJSP No. 73, of July 10, 2026, Official Gazette of the Union (DOU)