Brazil Cracks Down on Betting Ads During World Cup

Brazilian authorities this week directed two media outlets and four betting operators to explain content that may have breached existing laws on sports-betting advertising.

The increase coincides with a broader surge in gambling that has more than doubled the number of people seeking addiction treatment over the past five years, the health ministry reported.

National Consumer Secretariat opened an investigation on June 24 into possible irregularities during broadcasts by streaming platform CazeTV, the only channel with rights to all 104 games in Brazil. The country’s advertising self-regulator opened three proceedings regarding betting offers read aloud by presenters and commentators, then recommended suspending the ads.

CazeTV said it would adopt a more specific and conservative approach to betting brand integrations and follow a more traditional advertising format.

Betting and gambling are estimated to cost Brazilian society 38.8 billion reais ($7 billion) annually and to increase suicide and depression, according to a 2025 study by the non-profit Institute of Studies for Health Policies. A 22-year-old transport inspector from Alagoas state said he resumed betting during the tournament after taking a six-month break last year due to anxiety.

A 34-year-old advertising worker said he has bet around $200 since the World Cup began, a ten-fold increase from his usual monthly amount. " — Sen. Eduardo Girão, Thursday (Associated Press) >"Betting is intended for people aged 18 and over.