Brazilian football clubs advocate for regulated betting market
In a document released on Thursday, some of Brazil’s leading football clubs spoke out in support of a regulated betting market.
The manifesto, titled “The End of Brazilian Football”, is a response to the possibility that the Lula administration might issue a provisional measure banning online casinos.
The article was published by the football federations of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. The statement was endorsed by Brazil’s major clubs; Corinthians, Palmeiras, Santos, São Paulo, Botafogo, Flamengo, Fluminense, Vasco da Gama and Cruzeiro posted the document on their official websites.
The federations and clubs stated that investment from authorised companies has become one of the sport’s primary revenue sources. They further highlighted that these funds also reach smaller teams, lower divisions and competitions with less commercial exposure.
Illegal market
The statement warned that the changes under consideration by the government will not cause betting to disappear.
“It will merely pave the way for consumers to migrate entirely to underground platforms—sites that pay no taxes, observe no limits, offer no protective measures, and do not cooperate with authorities,” the statement read.
The signatories argued for the need to combat illegality, strengthen oversight and improve protective mechanisms.
The manifesto concluded: “The fan shouldn’t have to foot the bill. If the regulated market collapses, betting won’t stop; it is football that will suffer.”
The provisional measure currently being drafted by the Executive branch aims to repeal Article 3 of Law 14.790. This is the article that classified online casino games as a form of fixed-odds betting. For some betting platforms, this segment accounts for the majority of the operators’ revenue.
‘The end of Brazilian football’
“The football community is closely monitoring discussions regarding the betting market in Brazil and acknowledges the challenges posed by its expansion. The social impacts—particularly on the most vulnerable—demand constant attention from public authorities, companies, and all involved sectors.
“Therefore, it is essential to enhance measures for protection, oversight, education, and prevention to mitigate risks and ensure a responsible market.
“Brazil has chosen to address this challenge through regulation. This regulatory framework has established strict rules for companies authorised to operate in the country, including clear guidelines that enable the State to oversee the market, hold non-compliant entities accountable, and combat the operations of clandestine platforms.
“It is important to highlight that, in recent years, investment from authorised betting companies has become a primary revenue source for the sport. This investment has propelled Brazilian football to dominate the South American landscape—excelling in competitions such as the CONMEBOL Libertadores and CONMEBOL Sudamericana—and has positioned Brazilian clubs as key players.
“This presence extends beyond the major clubs; the funds also reach smaller teams, lower-division clubs, and competitions with less commercial exposure. For many of these organisations—especially those located in the country’s interior—there is currently no other economic sector capable of immediately replacing this investment.
“These revenues are vital for maintaining administrative structures, training centres, staff, social projects, and departments that do not generate enough income to be self-sustaining—such as women’s football and youth talent development. These are precisely the areas where investment is first threatened when revenue drops abruptly.
“Consequently, rumours regarding sudden changes to betting market regulations have caused significant concern among clubs, federations, and sports governing bodies. An abrupt rule change would curtail clubs’ investment capacity and create imbalances both domestically and internationally. Legally binding contracts, multi-year plans, and financial commitments were established under a regulatory framework created by the State itself.
“To address a market that already existed and was illegally moving billions of reais, the country established a regulated environment. Companies were authorised, began paying taxes, and assumed obligations regarding consumer protection, blocking minors, preventing abusive practices, and combatting money laundering and match-fixing. It was precisely market regulation that removed Brazil from the top of the global rankings for match-fixing cases.
“Undermining this model will not make betting disappear. It will merely pave the way for consumers to migrate entirely to underground platforms—platforms that pay no taxes, observe no limits, offer no protective measures, and do not cooperate with authorities.
“The consequence would not only be a wide-open door for illegal betting but a fatal blow to Brazilian football, driving many clubs into insolvency. This is not to mention the legal and professional uncertainty such a measure would create, particularly regarding contracts lawfully signed and plans developed under the regulatory framework approved by the National Congress and established by the State itself.
“The football community believes the necessary course of action—pursued with the utmost rigour—is to combat illegality, strengthen oversight, and refine protective mechanisms, without jeopardising a market that the State itself has regulated.
“Football stands ready to collaborate with the Federal Government, the National Congress, and state and municipal authorities on more effective education and awareness initiatives.
“FANS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO FOOT THE BILL.
“IF THE REGULATED MARKET IS DISMANTLED, BETTING WILL NOT STOP.
IT IS FOOTBALL THAT WILL BE DESTROYED.”