Brazil betting shutdown: ANJL prepares compensation claims

The Brazilian National Association of Gaming and Lotteries (ANJL) is preparing compensation claims for member companies harmed by the shutdown imposed under Provisional Measure 1,394/2026. While pursuing legal action to restart operations, the association said it would carry out these preparations in parallel.

In a notice sent to its members, the association said preparations would be made for collective or individual lawsuits, and that each company's circumstances and actual losses would be taken into account. Possible claims include a pro rata refund of license fees for the unused license period, investments not yet subject to depreciation, costs arising from the suspension of activity, lost profits, and other documented financial losses.

The association asked members to keep their license payment receipts, financial statements, contracts and investment records. It said detailed instructions on documents and litigation procedures would be shared separately.

However, Article 4 of the provisional measure states that terminating licenses on public interest grounds does not give operators a right to a refund of license payments or to compensation from the state. Finance Minister Dario Durigan also said when announcing the ban on September 25 that the fees would not be refunded. Operators had paid R$30 million for authorizations valid until the end of 2029.

The association said compensation work would proceed alongside efforts to reopen the market and protect existing authorizations. Expressing optimism about developments at the Supreme Federal Court, it said it expects significant progress toward restarting activities this month. The association stressed that its priority is restarting operations and preserving licenses, while the losses suffered by companies should be recovered through appropriate legal channels.