Stake has relaunched its Brazilian betting site after a federal judge in São Paulo granted the crypto casino operator a temporary reprieve from Brazil's fixed-odds betting ban. The decision allows Stake to operate until October 25, when all existing betting licenses expire under Provisional Measure 1,394 signed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on September 25.
Judge Cristiane Farias Rodrigues dos Santos of São Paulo's 9th Federal Civil Court partly granted an injunction on October 8, preventing authorities from terminating Stake's license or blocking its domain before October 25. The judge based the decision on a distinction in the provisional measure between the requirement that platforms go offline within 10 days and the provision that existing authorizations end only after 30 days, on October 25. The court found this gap indicated an intended transition period.
Operating Under Strict Conditions
Stake's reprieve comes with 12 conditions designed to limit operations. The company must maintain identity verification, age checks, anti-money-laundering controls, and responsible gambling safeguards. Stake is prohibited from accepting bets made with welfare program funds and cannot launch promotions, bonuses, or user acquisition campaigns. The operator must keep withdrawal functions operational and maintain sufficient funds to cover player account balances.
According to the court filing, Stake Brazil has invested approximately 128.2 million reais (about $25.6 million) in the country, paid a 30 million reais license fee, and holds over 500,000 player wallets, with 224,566 containing active funds.
Broader Legal Uncertainty
The relief applies only to Stake. Brazil's remaining 85 licensed betting operators remain offline and would need separate court orders to resume operations. The reprieve could also be short-lived if Brazil's Attorney General's Office succeeds in its planned appeal to the Federal Regional Court of the 3rd Region.
The constitutional validity of the betting ban itself remains unresolved. Supreme Court Justice Luiz Fux is handling challenges filed by betting trade groups and a national mayors' association. Congress must vote on the provisional measure by November 23.
