Brazil Bill Proposes National Referendum On Future Of Online Betting

A new proposal submitted to Brazil’s National Congress seeks to hold a nationwide referendum on whether fixed-odds betting and online gaming should remain legal in the country.

Legislative Decree Proposal PDL 930/2026, presented by Congressman Paulo Teixeira, would put the future of Brazil’s recently regulated online gambling market directly to voters.

Under the proposal, Brazilians would be asked to answer “Yes” or “No” to the question: “Are you in favor of banning fixed-odds betting and online gaming in Brazil?”

The proposal comes less than two years after Brazil launched its federally regulated betting market and amid an increasingly prominent political debate over the future of the sector.

Congress Would Need To Approve Public Vote

Before any referendum could take place, PDL 930/2026 would need to secure approval from both the Chamber of Deputies and Senate.

The Electoral Court would then be responsible for organising the vote and determining when it would take place.

Under the proposed legislation, legislative and administrative proceedings concerning the issue would be temporarily suspended once the referendum had been called and would remain on hold until the official result was declared.

Following certification of the result by the Superior Electoral Court (TSE), Congress would then be required to take the necessary legislative steps to implement the outcome in accordance with Brazil’s Federal Constitution.

Proposal Recognises Economic Impact Of Regulated Market

In its justification, the proposal points to the rapid transformation of gambling in Brazil following the growth of digital platforms and mobile technology.

It also highlights the betting industry's increasing presence within Brazilian sport, including sponsorship agreements with major clubs, advertising around sports broadcasts and wider marketing campaigns.

The proposal acknowledges that the sector currently operates under Law No. 14,790, which established requirements covering areas including operator authorisation, regulatory supervision, advertising and sports integrity.

It also recognises the economic contribution of the regulated market, including tax revenue distributed to the government and designated public sectors.

Referendum Would Give Public Final Say

Despite acknowledging the regulatory framework and its economic benefits, the proposal argues that the scale and social significance of online betting means the Brazilian public should have a direct role in determining its future.

The intention is to broaden the decision beyond discussions between lawmakers, government authorities and betting operators by allowing voters to express their position through a nationwide ballot.

PDL 930/2026 adds another potential route for significant change to Brazil’s betting framework, with the regulated market already facing several legislative proposals seeking tighter restrictions or prohibition of parts of the sector.