Sponsorship of Betting and the New Government Measure: What You Need to Know

Sports betting has gained a huge presence in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, reaching R$ 1,03 billion in sponsorships. This represents most of the commercial revenues for elite clubs and a real phenomenon in the sports scene. But pay attention: this Friday, President Lula signed a Provisional Measure that makes these bets illegal in Brazil. Let’s take a closer look at what’s going on!

The Impact of Betting on Clubs

Betting houses have become a significant source of income for clubs, accounting for one in every three reais of commercial revenues in 2025. To give you an idea, total Série A sponsorships reached R$ 3,069 billion, and out of that total, betting was responsible for R$ 1,03 billion. That’s a considerable evolution, isn’t it?

Revenue Growth

In recent years, clubs’ commercial revenues have exploded:

• 2021: R$ 1,3 billion
• 2025: More than R$ 3 billion

This 133% growth, according to the Convocados consultancy, shows how this money managed to keep pace with the clubs’ rise.

The Current Situation

In 2025, betting accounted for 7,2% of the total revenues of Série A clubs, which reached R$ 14,3 billion when summing all sources of income, such as TV rights, ticketing, and player sales. Without counting the Club World Cup in 2026, it’s possible that the share of betting grows even further.

The Clubs’ Concern

César Grafietti, an economist, said that the reduction in betting investments was already a trend and that the new restriction will amplify this impact. “They’re questioning direct amounts above R$ 100 million in many clubs, with losses of about 15% of revenues, in the middle of the season,” he highlighted.

On the other hand, even with the new rule, the presence of betting on club uniforms decreased from 19 to 13 clubs in 2026, but it still remains significant.

The President’s Voice

In his speeches, Lula has criticized betting and emphasized the need to reduce the social harm it can cause. “The government isn’t worried about whether it will lose tax. What I can’t lose is the lives of the poor gambling,” the president said. A strong statement that reflects the seriousness of the issue.

The Betting Industry’s Side

Finally, the betting sector argues that it has already presented alternatives and advocates for creating rules for advertising in the sector. Marco Tulio Oliveira, CEO of Ana Gaming Brasil, said that “responsible advertising is part of the solution, not the problem.” For him, these rules can help differentiate legal operators from illegal ones and strengthen trust in the market.

These issues are far more complex than they seem, and the future of sports betting in Brazil is still a major point of uncertainty. Now that you know the main points of this situation, what do you think might happen next?