The Supreme Federal Court of Brazil has issued a major provisional ruling on the constitutionality of online betting accounts held by social assistance beneficiaries. Justice Luis Fux is the rapporteur of the Direct Action of Unconstitutionality (ADI 7,721). He partially granted the National Association of Games and Lotteries’ (ANJL) precautionary appeal. This suspends the operationally mandatory obligations for betting agents.
The December announcement temporarily halts the mandatory restrictions on active accounts. It also suspends the compulsory closure of accounts. Programs like Bolsa Família and the BPC (Continuous Cash Benefit) link to these accounts. This stay of action is valid until the conciliation hearing date of February 10, 2026.
The new regulation allows individuals whose accounts were blocked between December 1 and December 19 to have the restrictions lifted. It also gives them the chance to register again on betting sites. Given that the initial measure required blocking accounts of social welfare beneficiaries, this move represents a clear U-turn.
Regardless, the decision does not completely set aside the existing limits. The ban on registration or creation of new accounts by beneficiaries of Bolsa Familia and BPC remains valid. This remains valid under the rules set by Normative Instruction No. 22/2025. The Secretariat of Prizes and Bets of the Ministry of Finance (SPA-MF) published it.
Justice Fux was explicit in defining the scope of the ruling. In the official decision, he stated that he partially grants the requested precautionary measure. Pending the scheduled conciliation hearing, the operational obligations to block and forcibly close active accounts will remain suspended. The existing ban on new registrations or new accounts will continue to apply.
