Brazil President Signs Executive Order Prohibiting Online Betting

• Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva recently signed an executive order banning online better in the country
• Online gaming has been legal in Brazil since 2023
• Flutter Entertainment and Entain announce they will comply with ban

A key international online gaming market has gone offline less than two years after its government launched the legal framework in the country.

Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed an executive order to prohibit online betting operations in the country. Lula signed the executive order on Friday, Sept. 25, which will require Brazil Congressional approval or amendment to fully go into effect.

Several gaming companies have already expressed their dismay over the order, but have announced they will comply.

Flutter, Entain Comply With Order

The executive order is currently in effect and a prohibition is in place, but Brazil’s Congress will have to approve or amend the order within the next 120 days to be a permanent fixture in the country. Online gaming operators will remain available for customer to withdraw funds until Monday, Oct. 5, and operators will be fully blocked on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

A gray online betting market existed in Brazil from 2018 to 2023. Lula signed legislation in 2023 to regulate online betting in Brazil, establishing rules and regulations to authorize iGaming and online sports betting.

According to NBC News, Lula’s executive order comes after a recent survey showed roughly three-quarters of Brazilian’s support a complete ban on online better. Finance Minister Dario Durigan described online gaming as a “public health issue” and a “serious problem” for the country.

Lula is currently in a tight election race with Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro, with a Sunday, Oct. 4 first-round vote scheduled for the country. Bolsonaro described the online gaming ban as “hypocritical” and “politically motivated” during a campaign rally last week.

Flutter Entertainment and Entain both will comply with the ban.

“Complying with the provisional executive measures announced on September 25, 2026, Flutter has ceased operating sports betting and iGaming in Brazil. Flutter is extremely disappointed by this development and is reviewing all available options, including the potential to appeal. Flutter continues to engage constructively with the Brazilian authorities on sensible, effective regulation to protect customers from the risks of the unregulated market,” Flutter Entertainment said in a press release.

Companies Project Millions in Lost Revenue

According to Flutter Entertainment, if its Brazil markets are unable to operate for the remainder of the year, it is expected to result in a reduction of approximately $70 million in 2026 revenue and a reduction of approximately $20 million in adjusted EBITDA.

“At this stage, Flutter is assessing the associated non-cash accounting implications of the announced measures and will provide additional disclosures in due course,” the company said in a release.

According to Reuters, Entain expects Brazil to represent about 5% of its online net gaming revenue in 2026. If the ban is upheld, Entain reported it expects “underlying core profit at the lower end of its previously guided £910 million to £960 million ($1.2 billion to $1.3 billion) range.”