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Brazilian government sues 17 betting sites for moral damages and seeks blocking of 5,209 sites

The Brazilian government has filed a lawsuit against 17 betting operators, seeking R$ 1 billion in compensation and blocking over 5,200 illegally operating sites.

29 September 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Brazilian government sues 17 betting sites for moral damages and seeks blocking of 5,209 sites — Archive photoPhoto: Brazilian Government - Governo do Brasil · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

The Brazilian government, through the Attorney General's Office, filed a public civil action on Monday (28) in the Federal Court in Pernambuco against 17 online betting operators, known as "bets." The action seeks R$ 1 billion in collective moral damages and reimbursement for expenses to the Unified Health System (SUS) associated with gambling addiction.

In addition to compensation, the action demands the return of double the amounts wagered by individuals diagnosed with gambling addiction. The government argues that health spending due to gambling addiction has become a significant burden.

Following this, on Tuesday (29), the Ministry of Justice and Public Security announced the request to block 5,209 betting sites. This action follows the signing of a provisional measure by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, aimed at cracking down on illegal betting operations in the country.

As part of the measures, advertising platforms like Google and Meta have been given a ten-day deadline to remove ads from betting operators. The government is seeking to limit the influence of these bets on the population, especially among vulnerable groups.

The details of the lawsuit still present nuances, as the requested amount of R$ 1 billion in compensation is highlighted in multiple sources, while others mention different amounts in euros, indicating a need for clarifications regarding the amounts in question.

The actions are being considered a step forward in combating the harmful effects of gambling, with a special focus on protecting citizens affected by gambling-related addictions.

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