Gambling Regulation Roundup: Chile Senate Panel Backs Online Betting Ban, Brazil Extends Its Ban and More

This roundup covers gambling regulation developments from 9 to 13 November 2026. A Chilean Senate committee has voted for amendments that would prohibit online betting, Brazil’s Congress has extended the measure banning fixed-odds betting, and a US federal judge has ruled against a prediction market in a challenge to New York’s gambling laws. Australia’s media regulator has issued guidance on wagering advertising, the European Commission has proposed a Digital Fairness Act, and Guyana’s gaming bill is pending.

Chile

On 9 November 2026 the Senate Economy Committee approved two substitute amendments that would prohibit online betting platforms instead of licensing them. The vote was three in favour, one against and one abstention, according to T13 and CNN Chile.

This is a committee vote, not a law. The bill (Boletín 14.838-03), submitted in March 2022, is in its second constitutional stage in the Senate. It still has to finish committee stage and be voted by the full Senate, and no date for that vote has been given. If the Senate changes the Chamber of Deputies’ text, the bill returns to the Chamber.

The first amendment, from senators Gastón Saavedra (PS), the committee’s chair, and Diego Ibáñez (Frente Amplio), would ban operating, offering and advertising online betting platforms. Those acting for profit would face prison of 541 days to five years and fines of 200 to 1,000 UTM, and internet providers, app stores and payment companies would have to block access, downloads and transactions. It exempts Polla Chilena de Beneficencia, Lotería de Concepción, authorised racecourses and casinos regulated by Law 19.995.

The second, from Renovación Nacional senators led by Senate President Paulina Núñez, provides for up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to 10,000 UTM in aggravated cases, and for permanent court-ordered blocking of illegal platforms.

The vote displaced the government’s plan, filed in late October, for licences, a 22% effective tax and a phased advertising ban. Saavedra said the two texts will be merged at the committee’s next session, for which no date was given. Separately, Mala Espina reported that the Chamber of Deputies approved, by 133 votes to two, a 2027 Budget amendment barring the tax service SII from spending on tax mechanisms for unauthorised online betting platforms. See CND’s guide to gambling laws in Chile.

Brazil

Act No. 118 of 2026 of the President of the Board of the National Congress extended Provisional Measure (MP) 1,394/2026, which bans fixed-odds betting, for a further 60 days. It was published in the Diário Oficial da União on 11 November 2026, as Brasil de Fato reported. The new deadline is 4 March 2027 according to the National Congress record, as the count stops during the recess. Some press reports give 5 March.

The joint committee designated on 30 September has not been installed. If Congress does not vote by the deadline, the measure lapses and betting would be permitted again. The ban stays in force meanwhile. CND covered Justice Luiz Fux’s 8 November decision on lower-court cases in its 9 November roundup. See CND’s guide to gambling in Brazil.

United States

On 10 November 2026 Judge Colleen McMahon of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York denied a preliminary injunction sought by Ludlow Exchange LLC, trading as Novig, against New York Attorney General Letitia James and State Gaming Commission officials. In the opinion in Ludlow Exchange v. James, the court held at this stage that Novig’s sports contracts are not “swaps” under the Commodity Exchange Act, so New York can require a state gambling licence or that Novig stop listing them. It also held that the Act would not pre-empt state gambling law even on Novig’s reading.

The judge found no likelihood of success. Sports Betting Dime reported that Novig appealed to the Second Circuit on 11 November. See CND’s guide to US gambling laws.

Australia

On 12 November 2026 the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) published initial guidance on the “triple lock exception”. From 1 January 2027, online content service providers are prohibited from providing wagering advertising unless it applies. A provider must take reasonable steps to keep restricted users from the content, ensure recipients use a registered account, and let account holders opt out.

A restricted user is a person in Australia who is under 18, has not confirmed their age, is not logged in, or has opted out. The Wagering Advertising Opt-out Register is still being developed and has no start date. ACMA intends to publish a list of providers that have implemented the triple lock. See CND’s guide to gambling laws in Australia.

European Union

On 11 November 2026 the European Commission presented its proposal for a Digital Fairness Act, according to its press release. The Parliament and the Council will now discuss it, so it is a proposal, not law. The Commission says it would include “a ban on gambling-like features for minors such as pay-to-win and pay-to-progress”. A linked revision of the Consumer Protection Cooperation Regulation would allow fines of up to 6% of worldwide annual turnover in large cross-border cases.

Also pending

Guyana: on 11 November the National Assembly referred the Gaming Authority Bill to a Special Select Committee at the Attorney General’s request, and no timetable was given (Kaieteur News). See CND’s guide to gambling in Guyana.