Rio de Janeiro bans public gambling and sports betting ads

The Brazilian metropolis of Rio de Janeiro is taking drastic action against advertising for sports betting and gambling. Decree No. 58,274 has introduced a comprehensive ban on public advertising. This ban will come into force on July 13, 2026. The mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Cavaliere, described betting as a "plague."

The ban affects all forms of outdoor advertising for online betting sites. These include, for example, street furniture, billboards, and banners. It also applies to all locations that require a municipal license or permit. Events organized by the city administration are also affected. From now on, no betting providers will be allowed to act as sponsors there.

Numbers and facts

Decree No. 58,274 is officially in effect, and authorities immediately began enforcement. Existing advertisements have already been removed to implement the ban. Rio de Janeiro is the first Brazilian state capital to introduce such a comprehensive restriction. At Siqueira Campos subway station in Copacabana, betting platform billboards have already been replaced with municipal banners. These banners warned of the risks of gambling, including addiction and debt. Rio de Janeiro's latest action follows two federal ordinances, No. 73 and No. 1,964. These were published three days earlier and tighten the rules for gambling advertising across Brazil. Ordinance No. 73 prohibits ads that portray betting as an investment or a solution to financial problems. Analyses that could encourage viewers to place immediate bets during live events are also prohibited. Ordinance No. 1,964 requires mandatory warning labels, such as "betting is not an investment" or "betting makes you lose money." Senator Carlos Portinho, rapporteur of a bill, criticized the current regulations as "yielding little results" and spoke of "massive advertising directed at people who are often not even the target audience, such as children." The Secretariat for Prizes and Bets (SPA) had already introduced guidelines for responsible advertising last year. These prohibit influencers and celebrities from portraying gambling as a path to social or financial success. Nevertheless, Thiago Henrique Cunha Basílio, a public defender in Rio de Janeiro, considers the current rules insufficient. He criticizes that a simple notice like "play responsibly" shifts too much individual responsibility to the player. In contrast, Alexandre Fonseca, CEO of SuperBet Brazil, emphasized that the focus should be on the illegal market. He spoke of approximately 20,000 illegal websites currently operating in Brazil.

Background

The action in Rio de Janeiro reflects growing concern about the social impact of gambling. Mayor Cavaliere expressed this very clearly:

"Bets are a plague, and we have decided to make Rio the national example in combating the plague of bets. This decision is not against those who place a bet by their own choice. It is against an industry that has begun to occupy streets, avenues, bus stops, and other public spaces to encourage a behavior that can lead to debt, addiction, and the destruction of families." - Eduardo Cavaliere, Mayor of Rio de Janeiro

This statement underscores the focus on player protection and a departure from an unrestrained advertising culture. The ban is a response to the widespread dissemination of betting advertising. This has spread significantly in the Brazilian cityscape in recent years. The measures in Rio de Janeiro go beyond the federal guidelines. They show a clear will to address local problems independently. The Brazilian Sports Commission (CEsp) has already debated two bills that could further tighten advertising restrictions. One of these bills, PL 2.985/2023, provides for a comprehensive advertising ban across all channels. The other, PL 3.405/2023, prohibits advertising featuring athletes and celebrities.

Why it matters for German players

For German players, this means that the gambling landscape in other countries is also changing significantly. The developments in Brazil show that player protection is increasingly becoming a global focus. Strict rules also apply in Germany. The State Treaty on Gambling 2021 (GlüStV 2021) has newly regulated the entire industry in this country. Online gambling is only permitted with providers who have a German license from the Joint Gambling Authority of the Federal States (GGL). These can be found on the so-called GGL whitelist. Providers without such a license operate illegally on the German market. German players must adhere to strict limits. These include a 1 euro per spin betting limit for slot machines. There is also a monthly deposit limit of 1,000 euros for all online casinos of a player. The LUGAS system, a cross-state gambling supervision system, centrally monitors these limits. This is intended to prevent excessive play and improve player protection. In Germany, there is no such outdoor advertising for gambling as criticized in Rio de Janeiro. Nevertheless, the focus on player protection is also present here. The GGL monitors compliance with the rules very closely. Players should always make sure to play only with GGL-licensed providers.

What it means for GGL-licensed casinos

The developments in Brazil have no direct impact on the business activities of GGL-licensed casinos in Germany. The German regulations are already very specific and strict. They are intended to regulate the German gambling market and ensure player protection. The GGL has clear rules for marketing and advertising. These are designed to protect minors and vulnerable individuals. Advertisements, for example, must not promise exaggerated chances of winning. In addition, they must always point out the risks of gambling. Aggressive or misleading advertising is prohibited. The necessity of a responsible approach to gambling is also strongly emphasized by the supervisory authorities in Germany. The strict licensing requirements of the GGL ensure that responsible gaming is paramount. The Brazilian example, however, illustrates a global trend: governments and authorities are increasingly willing to take tough action when they feel that the gambling industry is overstepping its bounds. This could also lead to a continuous review and, if necessary, adaptation of existing advertising guidelines in Germany. However, there are currently no indications that the GGL will ban public advertising in a similar way to Rio de Janeiro.