Brazilian regulators have moved to restrict access to 5,209 betting domains as the country steps up enforcement of its new restrictions on fixed-odds betting.
The crackdown covers far more than betting operators themselves. Authorities are also targeting promotional activity connected to the sector, including affiliate links, influencer and creator campaigns, paid advertising, sponsorships, social media profiles, mobile applications, and payment providers. Together, these measures are designed to limit access to unauthorized betting services throughout Brazil.
Brazil’s New Betting Restrictions Extend to Affiliate and Marketing Channels
- Brazilian authorities are seeking to restrict access to 5,209 betting domains.
- Betting sites and applications are expected to be blocked for users in Brazil starting October 6, 2026.
- The restrictions apply to the operation, promotion, facilitation, and advertising of fixed-odds betting services.
- Marketing materials targeting Brazilian users may fall under the rules regardless of their format or whether the publisher received payment for the promotion.
- Enforcement measures have also extended to 300 Facebook pages, 90 Instagram accounts, and 186 mobile apps.
- Affiliate campaigns and influencer-led promotions have been included among the channels under scrutiny.
- The measures are currently legally effective, although they may still face review by Congress and challenges before Brazil’s Supreme Court.
Brazil Shifts From Betting Regulation to a Full Ban
On September 25, Brazilian authorities issued Provisional Measure 1,394 , introducing a ban on fixed-odds betting activities. The measure covers not only gambling operators but also businesses involved in distributing, facilitating, or marketing betting products.
The transition began with an immediate restriction on new customer deposits. Gambling companies were given ten days to take their websites and mobile applications offline, with existing operating licences scheduled to lose their validity 30 days after the measure’s publication.
Operators must also settle outstanding financial obligations to customers. Any bets that cannot be resolved before the transition deadline are subject to cancellation, with the corresponding stakes returned to players. Meanwhile, payment processors are permitted to handle only transactions necessary for closing accounts, distributing legitimate winnings, and refunding customer balances.
These developments mark a major departure from Brazil’s previous approach to the gambling industry. Once regarded as a promising destination for licensed operators and international affiliates, the country had been highlighted among the emerging iGaming markets for 2026 . The new restrictions would instead require companies operating in the sector to prioritize compliance, customer settlements, and the closure of affected services.
New Restrictions Also Cover Affiliate and Influencer Promotions
Article 16 introduces broad restrictions on the promotion of fixed-odds betting, covering advertising, marketing, sponsorships, and other forms of commercial communication across both online and offline channels.
The provision applies to material intended for Brazilian audiences that directly promotes betting services, draws attention to them, or provides a route for accessing such services. The rules are not limited to a particular type of media or publication and can apply whether or not the person or company distributing the content receives compensation.
As a result, the restrictions may affect a wide range of promotional formats commonly used to attract betting traffic, such as:
- Affiliate articles and reviews that include direct links to betting sites
- Comparison websites featuring operators, offers, or promotional codes
- Videos and posts from influencers advertising betting services
- Sponsored campaigns across search engines and social media platforms
- Tipster pages or content that send audiences to specific operators
- Sponsorship materials featuring the branding of betting companies
A preliminary government enforcement report found around 1,960 Google ads associated with seven betting domains during the period from September 25 to 27. The measures proposed for digital platforms also covered promotional material published by affiliates and influencers, along with links that obscure or redirect users from the original destination.
The new rules provide a narrow carve-out for material that was created before the restrictions came into effect, provided that any mention of betting is only incidental and not a central part of the content. This exception should not be interpreted as a general safeguard for older evergreen pages that still contain active affiliate links, bonus codes, registration prompts, or other elements that encourage users to access betting services.
Publishers receiving visitors from Brazil may need advice from local legal professionals to determine whether specific pieces of content fall within the scope of the exemption.