Piracicaba bans betting ads in public spaces and events, with rule taking effect in 90 days

The city of Piracicaba in São Paulo state has banned advertising for fixed-odds betting platforms in public spaces and events linked to the municipal administration. For PSPs and operators, the useful detail is not the headline ban itself, but the fact that it covers municipal contracts, permissions, concessions, and authorizations signed, renewed, or extended after the rule takes effect.

1. The municipal decree was published in the Official Gazette and will enter into force within 90 days. It applies to goods, equipment, services, and events tied to local public administration, according to G1 Piracicaba e Região.
2. The ban covers the use of a platform’s name, brand, logo, symbol, electronic domain, app, promo code, bonus, link, QR code, and other elements that identify or promote betting platforms. Messages that are purely educational or preventive about gambling risks remain allowed, as long as they do not promote any platform.
3. The restriction applies to public municipal properties, whether built or not, and to street furniture whose advertising use depends on a municipal license, authorization, permission, concession, or contract. It also covers vehicles, terminals, stops, shelters, and other equipment used by the municipal public transport service, plus municipal public equipment more broadly.
4. Events promoted or held by the municipal administration are also inside the perimeter of the ban. In other words, if a sponsor package or activation depends on city-controlled space or city-run events, betting branding is now off-limits once the decree is in force.
5. The move follows a broader federal action described in the source as a total ban on bets in Brazil, including online games and virtual casinos such as “Jogo do Tigrinho.” The text also says bettors had until 23:59 on Monday (5/10) to withdraw funds voluntarily, and banks servicing bets are refunding remaining balances until Monday (14/10).

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also sent Congress a bill that would create penalties for anyone who explores, operates, or advertises fixed-odds betting. Under the proposal, operating these platforms would be a crime punishable by four to six years in prison plus a fine, while sanctions for legal entities would range from a warning to fines of up to R$ 2 billion, with possible partial or total suspension of activities.