Brazil’s Ministry of Justice and Public Security classified the administrative documents used to prepare Provisional Measure 1.394/2026 as restricted for five years. The classification was signed on 24 September, one day before President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva issued the measure that dismantled the country’s licensed fixed-odds betting market.
NEXT.io reports that the Ministry of Finance responded to an information request by saying the requested economic, fiscal, regulatory and social impact studies did not exist. The Ministry of Sport reportedly said it had no record of formal consultation or impact studies on sports integrity, while a payments provider said it had not been asked for betting-flow data to support the measure.
Legal and commercial stakes
Licensed operators and industry associations are challenging the measure before Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court and disputing the treatment of licence fees. The initial 60-day congressional review period is due to end on 23 November, with a possible 60-day extension if the measure has not been voted on.
The ministries’ responses do not prove that the classified file contains no material; access to the full administrative record remains restricted. The dispute matters to operators, suppliers and affiliates because the legal basis and duration of the market shutdown remain contested, while the ability to recover licence costs is also under challenge.