Sports Betting in Brazil: Betting Site Ban and Withdrawals | OSGA
On September 25, 2026, Brazil's government banned online sports betting and casino games. Access to all licensed betting sites will be shut down on October 6. If you have money on a betting site, the next few days matter.
The Off Shore Gaming Association (OSGA) is an independent watchdog. We've helped bettors resolve disputes with betting sites since 1998. We don't take bets, and we don't sell picks.
Key dates
- September 25The ban takes effect. Betting sites can no longer accept new deposits.
- October 5, by 11:59 p.m.Last day to withdraw your balance yourself. Do it now if you can.
- October 6All betting sites and apps go offline in Brazil.
- October 9 to 14Payment companies return balances that weren't withdrawn.
- From October 14Caixa Econômica Federal handles refunds for anyone still not paid.
What the ban does
The ban came as a provisional measure, MP 1.394/2026, which has the force of law as soon as it's published. It prohibits offering, operating, brokering, and advertising fixed-odds betting in Brazil. That covers sports betting and online casino games, including sites that were fully licensed until now.
The government says it will block betting sites, bar bank transfers for betting, and freeze bank accounts used for it. It has also proposed prison sentences for running or promoting betting. That part still needs a vote in Congress.
How to get your money back
- Withdraw now. The simplest way to get your money is to request a withdrawal yourself before the October 5 deadline.
- Save proof first. Before the site goes offline, take screenshots of your balance, your betting history, and your deposit and withdrawal receipts.
- If you miss the deadline, the refund process should return your balance automatically, first through the payment companies the sites used and then through Caixa. Watch for official instructions.
Rules and refund procedures may still change. Confirm details on official government channels, and check back here for updates.
Watch out for refund scams
- Fees to release your money. A real refund never asks you to pay first. Anyone asking for a "release fee," "tax," or Pix payment is a scammer.
- Messages claiming to be from Caixa or your bank. Don't click links in texts, WhatsApp messages, or emails about your refund. Go directly to the official site or app yourself.
- Requests for passwords or codes. No legitimate refund needs your bank password, card details, or a verification code.
- "Recovery" services. Be wary of anyone offering to get your money back for a cut.
Sites that keep running after October 6
Some betting sites will keep taking bets from Brazil, often through new addresses called mirror sites. After October 6, every one of them is operating without a Brazilian license.
- Brazilian consumer protection doesn't reach them. If they refuse to pay or disappear, there may be no one who can make them return your money.
- Blocks can cut off access without warning, leaving your balance stranded.
- The federal self-exclusion platform only ever covered licensed sites, so it won't block these.
What happens next
The ban is in force, but it isn't final.
- Congress. A provisional measure lasts 60 days, extendable once by another 60, and Congress must approve it in that time or it lapses. Party leaders say they'll discuss changes after the election.
- The Supreme Court. Betting industry groups have asked the STF to suspend the ban, arguing it didn't meet the constitutional test of urgency.
- The election. The ban has become a campaign issue ahead of the October 4 first round, and candidates disagree on what should happen to it.
Status last updated: September 30, 2026.
How to file a complaint
If a site won't return your balance
Contact the site's customer support, then its ombudsman (ouvidoria), and keep every reply. If that doesn't work, file with your state or city Procon, or on consumidor.gov.br if the company is registered there.
To report an unlicensed betting site
Report it to the federal government through Fala.BR. Include the site's name and address and your payment details: date, amount, and the Pix key or recipient.
Stuck? Tell OSGA what happened
We've mediated disputes between bettors and betting sites since 1998. Send us the details, and we'll point you to the right channel or step in where we can.
File a complaint with OSGAIf betting has become a problem
The shutdown can be a good moment to step away for good. If betting has cost you more than you can afford, you're not alone, and help is free. Brazil's public health system (SUS) offers support at CAPS psychosocial care centers and basic health units (UBS). Jogadores Anônimos (Gamblers Anonymous) also runs groups across Brazil.
Frequently asked questions
Is online betting banned in Brazil?
Yes. Provisional Measure (MP) 1.394/2026, signed on September 25, 2026, bans offering, operating, brokering, and advertising fixed-odds betting, including sports betting and online casino games. Betting sites and apps are being forced to go offline on October 6, 2026.
How do I get my money back from a betting site?
Withdraw your balance yourself before 11:59 p.m. on October 5, 2026. If you can't, the ban sets up a refund process: payment companies return balances from October 9 to 14, and from October 14 Caixa Econômica Federal handles anyone who still hasn't been paid.
Do I have to pay a fee to get my refund?
No. Anyone asking you to pay a fee, send a Pix, or share a password or code to release your refund is running a scam.
Can I still bet on sites that work after October 6?
Any betting site still taking bets from Brazil operating after October 6 is operating without a license. Brazilian consumer protection doesn't apply, and if the site blocks your account or disappears, you may never get your money back.
Is the ban permanent?
Not yet. A provisional measure takes effect immediately, but Congress must approve it within 60 days, extendable once by another 60, or it lapses. Industry groups have also challenged it at the Supreme Court (STF). OSGA will update this page as things change.
This page is updated as the situation changes. Always confirm details with official Brazilian government sources.
