The decision will remain in effect until a conciliation hearing between the Ministry of Finance and betting operators, which will address the limits of the CPF-based blocking adopted by the government. Fux brought the hearing forward from March 17 to February 10, 2026.
“I partially grant the precautionary request so that, until the scheduled conciliation hearing is held, the effectiveness of operational obligations that imply the blocking and compulsory closure of already active accounts is suspended, while maintaining the existing prohibition on new registrations or the opening of new accounts,” the justice ruled.
In November 2024, the STF Plenary upheld an injunction granted by Fux ordering the federal government to adopt measures to prevent the use of funds from social and welfare programmes, such as Bolsa Família and the BPC, in online betting operated by private companies.
The decision followed a public hearing at which data were presented on the impact of betting on household budgets and on the mental health of young people.
To comply with the ruling, the Ministry of Finance issued an ordinance and normative instructions establishing a registration block based on CPF numbers, prohibiting registration and ordering the closure of accounts held by social welfare beneficiaries on regulated platforms.
This regulatory framework has since been challenged before the STF itself. In a submission to the Court, the Brazilian Association for Economic Freedom (ABLE) argued that the rules went beyond the judicial decision by imposing restrictions that would affect beneficiaries even in relation to income not originating from welfare programmes.
The Office of the Prosecutor General (PGR), in turn, opposed the position defended by ANJL and ABLE. According to the PGR, the measures adopted by the federal government fall within the scope of the STF’s precautionary decision and are compatible with the need to protect vulnerable groups.
Source: PlatôBR
