No Stars Allowed: Brazilian Bill to Ban Celebs from Betting Ads

^{Pictured: Senator Eduardo Girao}

A new bill (numbered 3,405/2023) that would ban celebrities from promoting or advertising sports betting in Brazil has been drafted and is expected to be submitted to the Senate later this year.

The bill is backed by Senator Eduardo Girao, a vocal critic of gambling legalization in Brazil. He says that banning celebs will help shield citizens from the dangers of excessive gambling.

The bill defines celebrities as athletes, commentators, and sports show hosts.

The bill comes after sports betting was legalized by the Brazilian President last summer, along with online casinos. But the official legalization process was only completed in December 2023. However, the market has not opened yet, and is expected to do so in the second half of 2024. The bill targets only sports betting, and does not affect other forms of gambling.

Recent reports say that around 130 companies are interested in getting a gambling license in Brazil.