Grêmio and the Ban on Betting Shops: What Happens Now?

Last Friday (25), Grêmio issued a statement about the new provisional measure that bans betting houses in Brazil. And things got interesting, since the Gaúcho club had announced bet Pitaco as its master sponsor just two days earlier, on Wednesday (23).

What Did Grêmio Say?

In its statement, Grêmio did not mention anything about the possibility of canceling the deal. They emphasized that "they will wait for the developments of the matter in the coming days, starting from the publication of the measure by the government." This shows they are keeping an eye on the situation before making any decision.

The official note stressed that “the impact of this decision on the revenues of the football industry will still need to be measured by clubs and sports entities across the country.” In other words, they acknowledge that this change could have significant consequences.

Sponsorship Details

Grêmio’s contract with bet Pitaco, which is part of the Mexican group Draftea, is valid for three years. To give you an idea of the weight of this team, notable investors such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Travis Kelce, and Iker Casillas are behind the brand.

And when it comes to money, sources from the Gaúcho press reveal that the sponsorship amount is around R$ 40 million per year. Since the beginning of the year, Grêmio has received several proposals from different betting houses and companies from other sectors. However, the preference was to avoid partnerships with betting houses up to that point.

Grêmio’s Financial Situation

Now, it’s important to note that Grêmio’s debt, according to the financial reports of 2025, is R$ 935,6 million. Regarding the bet Pitaco contract, Alex Leitão, Grêmio’s CEO, commented: "It’s a Brazilian company that was born in the universe of technology and fantasy games, grew in sports entertainment, and today operates in the regulated sports betting market."

He also highlighted that "the agreement enhances one of the most important spaces on our uniform, places our shirt among the five highest-value in Brazilian football, and brings together the commercial and contractual conditions we were looking for to build a long-term partnership."

Next Steps

Grêmio returns to the field only after the Super Data FIFA. On 7 October, the tricolors will face Remo at 19h30 (Brasília time) in the 29th round of the Campeonato Brasileiro.

It’s worth noting that this federal government provisional measure will be brought to a vote in Congress and has an initial validity of 60 days, which can be extended by another 60. For clubs, the deadline to remove advertisements and sponsorship signs is until 5 October, at 23h59.

This is a delicate moment for many teams, and Grêmio seems to be navigating these waters cautiously. Let’s see what’s coming next!