CBF orders clubs to comply with Bets sponsorship blackout

CBF, the Confederation of Brazilian Football will enforce a ban on unlicensed betting sponsorships from 11 October, applied across all levels of Brazilian football.

Yesterday, the CBF, the governing body of professional football in Brazil, issued a statement to clubs and leagues confirming its decision to enforce the ban from 11 October onwards.

Clubs and leagues were instructed to terminate any sponsorship arrangements with betting operators that have failed to obtain licensing authorisations from the Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA).

The CBF stated that it had complied with the Ministry of Finance’s orders that “betting companies without authorisation will be prohibited from advertising or conducting commercial publicity, under penalty of the application of sanctions provided by current legislation and the sports sanctions outlined in the General Competition Regulations (RGC).”

The SPA closed the licensing window for betting authorisations on 31 September, during which it granted 90 businesses and 195 brands applicable online gambling licences.

However, the SPA’s authorisations have been challenged by operators such as Esportes da Sorte and VaideBet, which were omitted from receiving betting licences.

As it stands, the ban will affect five Brazil Serie A clubs, including Grêmio, Corinthians, Bahia, and Palmeiras FC, who are currently sponsored by Esportes da Sorte, as the company challenges the SPA’s orders.

Club Athletico Paranaense had already suspended its sponsorship with Esportes da Sorte, whilst the other four clubs still maintain their contracts.

Though omitted from a betting licence, Esportes da Sorte received a state-level licence granted by LOTERJ, the state lottery of Rio de Janeiro.

The Attorney General’s Office managed to suspend a previous ruling that allowed betting companies licensed by the Rio de Janeiro Lottery (LOTERJ) to operate nationally. As of 5 October, online betting companies licensed by LOTERJ are no longer allowed to operate across the country.

Prior to the launch of betting licences, the SPA will enter an enforcement period to terminate the activities of all unlicensed online gambling operators with new supervisory powers granted by Ordinance SPA/MF No. 1.475/24.

Finance Minister Fernando Haddad has endorsed the SPA to undertake a sweep of all unlicensed gambling activities, including media and sponsorships, to safeguard the launch of the betting market.

Though the licensing window has closed, the Minister of Finance will allow further licensing opportunities for non-authorised companies following a 150-day waiting period, during which operators must cease all gambling activities in Brazil.