Brazilian senator proposes ban on certain incentives for online gambling
Bill No. 1,018/2026 would directly affect loyalty programmes, cashback and other promotions for online gambling customers in Brazil.
Brazil.- Senator Eduardo Girão (NOVO-CE) has presented a bill that would prohibit certain mechanisms for incentivising and retaining online gambling customers in Brazil. The measure would directly affect strategies such as loyalty programmes, cashback, promotions conditioned on deposits and scoring or ranking systems.
As reported by Focus Gaming News Brasil, Bill No. 1,018/2026 would amend Brazil’s online gambling legislation, Law No. 14,790/2023, by adding Article 29-A. This would prohibit the offering of benefits linked to user behaviour, such as betting volume, frequency, accumulated losses or time spent on platforms.
The text would also prohibit the use of gamification elements and personalised communications based on a customer’s history that aim to encourage the continuation or intensification of bets. Informative, institutional or educational actions would still be permitted, provided they do not offer a benefit to the user.
Another point is the adoption of mechanisms to prevent campaigns being targeted at users considered to be at high risk for compulsive behaviour. In addition, operators would have to guarantee transparency regarding digital systems that may influence betting decisions.
If approved, the project establishes a 90-day deadline for companies to adapt their platforms and practices to the new rules. Oversight would be the responsibility of the Ministry of Finance.
In his justification, Girão argued that, despite the recent regulation of the sector since the start of 2025, operators continue to use indirect mechanisms to encourage user engagement. According to the senator, this contributes to increased indebtedness and the aggravation of mental health problems, especially among more vulnerable players. He argues that his proposal would align the regulation of the sector with the constitutional principles of consumer protection, health protection, and human dignity.
Girão has been critical of the regulation of online gambling in Brazil. He has repeatedly called for the regulation of the sector to be reversed. However, as a less drastic move, his latest measure could gain support, particularly after President Lula da Silva himself vowed to ban online casino gaming in Brazil.
