Bill 3754/2025 also looks to impose new deposit limits as well as advertising restrictions.
Senator Humberto Costa has presented a Senate bill. It would raise the legal betting age from 18 to 21. It would also impose new limits on player deposits.
Bill 3754/2025 would let players to deposit no more than the equivalent of one minimum monthly wage monthly. The Ministry of Finance would have the power to establish more daily and weekly spending thresholds.
The bill would also add new marketing restrictions. It would limit gambling adverts to between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. It would also ban operators from sponsoring public events such as sports, cultural and artistic activities, and festivals. This is regardless of whether they receive government funding. The bill would also restrict marketing aimed at people under 21.
Senator Costa claims the measures are needed to curb the negative effects of the rapidly growing online gambling sector. The market has expanded quickly since its regulation began on January 1 this year. He cited troubling incidents, including a homicide case in Minas Gerais linked to gambling debts. Costa also expressed concern about students misusing tuition funds from the Fies programme for gambling. This misuse has led to delays in studies or withdrawals from university.
After the Senate approved legislative changes in May to restrict gambling endorsements through influencers and athletes, in-stadium advertising and commercials during live sports broadcasts, the industry has already expressed concern. However, lawmakers avoided a blanket advertising ban. Some argue the restrictions are necessary to prevent backlash against the newly regulated industry.
For the moment, the long-delayed proposal to regulate land-based casinos in Brazil will be back on the Senate agenda after the current recess. Paving the way for regulated land-based casinos, bingo halls, instant wins and horserace betting, Bill 2,234/2022 would let the operation of a sector that has been illegal since 1946.
