Brazil's provisional betting ban stalls in Congress with 94 amendments pending

Provisional Measure 1.394/2026 — the federal proposal to end regulated fixed-odds betting in Brazil — is waiting for formal committee installation in Congress, leaving 94 amendments without consideration as the government seeks approval by 20 December 2026. Committee members have been nominated, but no committee president or rapporteur has taken office; the measure will enter an expedited procedure on 9 November and faces a Supreme Federal Court hearing on 3 November.

Committee bottleneck and the amendments

Congress has recorded 99 submitted amendments to Provisional Measure 1.394/2026 and shows 94 still pending after five withdrawals. Senator Sergeant Reginauro (PSDB-CE) and Representative Captain Alden (PL-BA) each filed 17 amendments. Senator Dr. Hiran (PP-RR) and Representative Julio Arcoverde (PP-PI) are among lawmakers proposing alternatives to a full ban. None of the pending amendments can advance until the committee establishes its leadership posts.

Legislative timetable and judicial action

The administration wants three priorities approved before 20 December 2026: the betting measure, the Public Security Constitutional Amendment and the Zero Fare Constitutional Amendment for public transportation, Institutional Relations Minister José Guimarães (PT) said on 27 October.

"If we vote on these three major agendas, we will already be satisfied," José Guimarães said.

The Supreme Federal Court has not suspended the prohibition; Justice Luiz Fux has upheld its validity and arranged a hearing for 3 November that will bring together government officials, gambling companies and football clubs. From 9 November the proposal will enter an expedited procedure and begin blocking the chamber's agenda. Its initial 60-day period ends on 23 November, then an automatic extension applies; the legislative clock pauses during the 23 December–1 February recess. BNLData calculates the provisional measure will expire on 4 March 2027 unless Congress approves it.

Fiscal implications cited by lawmakers

Ending regulated fixed-odds betting would remove federal revenue from operators and would alter funding allocations under Law 14.790/2023 for sports, tourism and the National Public Security Fund. Mandatory spending already accounts for 91.7% of federal expenditure, leaving 8.3% for investment and public services. Congress must weigh those revenue losses as it adjusts the 2027 budget that was submitted on 31 August, while also accounting for campaign commitments.

Lawmakers' amendment proposals

Several amendments seek to preserve parts of the betting market rather than sustain a blanket prohibition. Senator Dr. Hiran proposes allowing wagers on actual sporting events while excluding “tigrinho” and other games of chance. Representative Julio Arcoverde proposes restricting the prohibition to unauthorized operators only and excluding concession fee refunds or compensation. The official congressional record continues to list the measure as awaiting committee installation.