Brasilia, Oct. 6, 2026 (Lusa) - Starting Tuesday, Brazilian authorities have taken betting websites and apps offline and blocked them in Brazil as part of the government's plan to regulate betting platforms, which took effect on 25 September.

Lusa attempted to access several betting websites that were legal in the country before the ban, but the browser redirected the agency to the Brazilian government's website «brasilsembets.gov.br», which displays the message «Access blocked».

«The betting platform you have attempted to access is offline pursuant to Provisional Measure No. 1394/26, which has banned sports betting and online casinos in Brazil since 25 September 2026,» the statement posted on the page said.

The notice includes instructions for punters who have not yet withdrawn funds deposited on the platforms, as well as guidance for users on how to report illegal betting sites and casinos, and a public health warning on how to seek help for those with a gambling addiction.

The latest figures released by the Brazilian government on 29 September show that the authorities have blocked 5,209 betting platform websites and almost 200 apps from online stores.

On 28 September 2026, President Lula da Silva announced that his government would ‘crack down' on influencers planning to travel to Portugal to promote betting platforms to circumvent regulations on so-called ‘bets'.

On the same day, the government filed a public civil action against 17 betting companies, seeking, among other measures, at least one billion reais (€168.76 million) in collective compensation for non-pecuniary damage caused by gambling addiction.

The action also seeks the reimbursement of sums wagered by individuals who are heavily in debt and suffer from gambling addiction, and aims to compel the companies to reimburse the federal government for the costs incurred in relation to treatment and public policies addressing the health problems associated with gambling.

MYMA/ADB // ADB.

Lusa