Initiative by the Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR) and the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL) will feature on pitch-side advertising boards and team jerseys, including those of São Paulo FC and Flamengo
The “Banning Is Not Protecting” manifesto, led by the Brazilian Institute of Responsible Gaming (IBJR) and the National Association of Games and Lotteries (ANJL), will return to the pitch this weekend during the 31st round of the Brazilian Championship.
The pitch-side advertising campaign will return for 10 matches starting Friday (16), with a new format. In addition to the “Banning Is Not Protecting” manifesto, the boards will display messages from the “I Bet You Didn’t Know” campaign (www.apostoquevocenaosabia.com), which provides clear, verified information about Brazil’s betting market. The messages include: “Real Protection Starts with Rules”; “Brazil Banned Betting, and the Illegal Market Took Over”; and “Regulation Is Protection.”
“We are bringing this message to stadiums because people need to understand what is at stake. The ban has not made demand for betting disappear. Instead, it has created room for the illegal market, removed protections for bettors, and weakened mechanisms for monitoring and combating match-fixing. Protecting consumers and the integrity of sports requires rules, enforcement, and action against illegal operators. This is the debate we want to broaden through the campaign,” says Carlos Lima, CEO of the IBJR.
“Brazilian Championship matches have great visibility and reach. That is why, once again, we are bringing our message to the public about the consequences of abruptly and unjustifiably eliminating the regulated market. The main consequence is the lack of protection for bettors, who remain exposed to the risks posed by more than 30,000 illegal betting websites operating in the country,” said Plínio Lemos Jorge, president of the ANJL.
This weekend’s round will also feature an initiative on players’ jerseys. On Saturday (17), São Paulo players will wear jerseys displaying the message “Banning Is Not Protecting” during their match against Vasco da Gama, at 9 p.m. at Morumbi Stadium. On Sunday (18), Flamengo’s kit will feature the protest during the team’s match against Bahia. These initiatives are part of a nationwide mobilization by organizations representing licensed betting operators.
The initiative aims to show fans and the general public the impact of Provisional Measure No. 1,394/2026. In addition to the potential effects on investment in clubs and competitions, the campaign addresses bettor protection mechanisms, revenue allocated to public policies, and the risks associated with the expansion of the illegal market.
About the Manifesto
Signed by the IBJR and the ANJL, the manifesto argues that banning betting does not put an end to betting in the country; it puts an end to protections for bettors. The document also warns about the growth of the illegal market, which organized crime exploits to launder money, reach minors, and carry out digital scams targeting the most vulnerable members of the public.
The IBJR and the ANJL reiterate their concerns about household debt and compulsive gambling. In the organizations’ view, only a highly regulated market can provide the best conditions for addressing these issues. They therefore remain available to engage in democratic discussions with the National Congress and civil society as a whole about potential measures to further improve the regulatory framework, with appropriate safeguards for mental health and stronger action against illegal websites—requirements that cannot be imposed on operators working outside the law. In their view, banning betting does not protect bettors; it simply pushes them into environments without oversight.
Press Contacts:
IBJR: ibjr@inpresspni.com.br
ANJL: imprensa@anjl.com.br