Brazilian football clubs renewed their call for betting companies to be allowed to operate, arguing that the ban is reducing team income. The appeal was made at a public hearing at the Supreme Federal Court (STF) on Tuesday, where federal government representatives defended the measure that prohibited betting operations in the country.
Club officials, including Flamengo vice-president Flávio Willeman and Fluminense president Mattheus Montenegro, said the measure’s short transition period has affected the legal certainty of existing contracts. They also warned that lost sponsorship income could affect jobs and investment in Olympic sports, youth development and women’s football.
Montenegro contrasted Brazil’s 10-day transition period with periods he cited for other countries: 56 months in Belgium, 36 in the United Kingdom, 12 in Spain and 10 in Italy. Botafogo representative Udo Secklemann also questioned whether the ban would prevent betting from shifting to illegal markets, and asked what evidence supported its effectiveness in addressing gambling addiction and household debt.
The clubs did not dispute the government’s concerns about the effects of betting. Justice and Public Security Minister Wellington César and Attorney General Jorge Messias attended the hearing, with government representatives arguing that the measure is valid. The government has cited rising household indebtedness and more diagnoses of ludopathy, or gambling addiction, as reasons for banning betting companies. Messias said the harm caused by betting can extend beyond financial losses and affect families at home.
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva issued the provisional measure on September 25, prohibiting betting companies from operating in Brazil. Betting had been regulated in the country since late 2023, and companies in the sector had gone on to sponsor several football clubs. Betting industry entities challenged the measure at the STF. Justice Luiz Fux is the rapporteur for the case and called the public hearing to hear views from groups both for and against the companies’ operation before ruling.
Sources: Globo Esporte.