Amid a national effort to tighten sports betting regulations, Rio de Janeiro became the first of Brazil’s 26 state capitals to ban public advertisements for betting companies.
The ban follows a Thursday announcement that the federal government would impose stricter rules beginning Monday.
Key Takeaways
- The prohibition applies to all public spaces and events organized by the City Hall.
- New legislation also prohibits betting companies and sports commentators from encouraging bets.
- Investigations involving companies and broadcasters are ongoing
Rio Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere referred to sports betting as a “plague” in a statement posted on X Monday.
“BETs are a plague, and we have decided to make Rio the national example in combating the plague of BETs,” he wrote.
As BETs são uma praga e nós decidimos fazer do Rio o exemplo nacional no combate à praga das BETs.
— Eduardo Cavaliere (@CavaliereRio) July 13, 2026
A partir de hoje, o Rio passa a proibir publicidade externa de casas de apostas em espaços públicos da cidade.
Essa decisão não é contra quem faz uma aposta por escolha própria.… pic.twitter.com/vrhpa9pZtZ
Courthouse News Service reported that a Monday edition of Rio’s official city gazette stated that betting companies were no longer allowed to advertise their platforms in public spaces. One billboard at a Rio de Janeiro Metro bus stop reflected the change, replacing a gambling advertisement with a banner that read “Sports betting ad removed.”
The official ban was written into Rio Decree No. 58,724. The new law outlaws companies from displaying signage at locations with outdoor advertising, street furniture, and business locations which are licensed or authorized by the city.
“This decision is not against those who place a bet by their own choice,” Cavaliere’s post read. “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.”
The all-encompassing prohibition prevents gambling agencies from displaying trademarks, logos, company names, apps, websites, promotional campaigns, bonuses, slogans, mascots, and any other identifying elements, all of which were listed on the local government’s website.
“The Rio de Janeiro City Hall will not accept the use of outdoor advertising, which is regulated by the municipality and belongs to all Rio residents, whether from public or private property, to promote an activity that has caused indebtedness, compulsion, and destroyed Rio and Brazilian families,” Cavaliere said in the announcement confirming the ban.
With the changes now in place, city-based events organized by the City Hall are also unable to highlight betting sponsors.
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Motivation from the federal government
Rio’s implementation came three days after the Finance Ministry, Justice Ministry, and the Presidential Communications Secretariat signed Interministerial Ordinance No. 73 to limit the scope of betting advertisements.
The new rules state that advertisements cannot portray fixed-odds betting as a form of investment, a way to make money, or a way to solve financial problems. They also ban sports betting companies from encouraging customers to place immediate wagers and sports commentators from pushing viewers to place live wagers.
