Supreme Court Delays Ruling on Brazil’s Municipal Lotteries

The case dates back to March 2025, when the Solidariedade party challenged local laws allowing cities to establish lotteries and authorise betting businesses. Justice Nunes Marques suspended those arrangements last December. Wednesday’s session was the first opportunity for the full court to examine the dispute, but the judges heard the parties without reaching a decision.

Bodó’s 38 Accreditations Return to the Debate

A small town in Rio Grande do Norte featured prominently in the arguments. Bodó had accredited 38 companies to operate betting services, although none held authorisation from Brazil’s Ministry of Finance.

Ivan Cândido de Franco, speaking for Solidariedade, brought up the figure during the hearing. The party argues that municipal licences allow companies to operate outside federal supervision.

There is a small difference from the figures previously reported. In October 2025, 15M counted 37 operators accredited in Bodó. The November 4 court account gives 38.

December Injunction Sets Two Daily Fines

The penalties were fixed nearly a year before this hearing. Under the December 3 ruling, municipalities and companies continuing lottery services face R$500,000 (about $94,100) per day. Mayors and company presidents can be fined another R$50,000 (about $9,400) daily.

The conversions use the Central Bank of Brazil’s historical PTAX rate for December 3, 2025: R$5.3114 per US dollar.

The injunction also stopped municipal accreditation procedures. It remains in effect following Wednesday’s adjournment, including for operators already holding local approvals.

ANJL Has Another Case Before the Court

Pietro Cardia Lorenzoni represented the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) at the municipal hearing. The association had been before the STF just one day earlier, in a separate case over Brazil’s nationwide betting ban.

That case, ADI 8027, seeks to overturn Provisional Measure 1.394/2026. Justice Luiz Fux heard arguments on November 3.

ANJL is challenging the federal betting prohibition while raising concerns about municipal betting outside federal oversight. Neither case has reached a final judgment.

According to the STF’s November 4 statement, Fachin adjourned ADPF 1212 without scheduling another session.