Government bans online betting for participants in the Desenrola Fies program.

The Federal Government has extended the ban on sports betting to participants in the Desenrola Fies program. The measure was published this Wednesday (13) in an extra edition of the Official Gazette of the Union through Provisional Measure No. 1.358/2026 . The restriction already applied to Desenrola Famílias and now also covers the debt renegotiation program of the Student Financing Fund.

According to the executive secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Rogério Ceron, the original text of the provisional measure did not explicitly state the application of the rule to the program aimed at students with FIES debts. "The provisional measure did not make this aspect so clear," stated the secretary during a press conference to explain the new subsidy of up to R$ 0,89 to control gasoline prices. The member of the economic team described the change as "a small adjustment" and said that the government decided to anticipate the information to avoid doubts about the scope of the measure.

Provisional Measure 1.358/2026 authorizes the Union to grant economic subsidies to producers and importers of gasoline and diesel. In the final provisions of the text on fuels, the government inserted a provision that amends Provisional Measure No. 1.355/2026 , known as Desenrola 2.0, issued on May 4, 2026.

The amendment functions as a legislative "jabuti" (a term used in Brazilian politics to refer to an unrelated amendment inserted into a bill or provisional measure). The ban on betting was included in a provisional measure intended to address fuel subsidies.

The adjustment makes the prohibition on participation in sports betting platforms, popularly known as " bets," more explicit . Beneficiaries of the Desenrola Fies program are prevented from using these services during debt renegotiation. The rule establishes that sports betting platforms will be prohibited, for a period of one year, from participating in federal debt renegotiation programs. The government's objective is to prevent companies in the sector from using public programs as a way to stimulate credit or expand financial operations linked to online betting.

Article 4 of Provisional Measure 1.358/2026 establishes that Provisional Measure 1.355/2026 will come into effect with specific changes. The legal text states: “Art. 5º …………………………………………………………………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………§ 6º The provisions of item VII of the caput and § 4º apply to the transaction referred to in art. 5º-A, § 4º-B, of Law nº 10.260, of July 12, 2001.”

Law No. 10.260, mentioned in the legal provision, established the Student Financing Fund. The reference to Article 5-A and paragraph 4-B of this legislation links the new restrictions to the regulatory framework of FIES.

The measure unifies the treatment given to beneficiaries of the Desenrola Famílias and Desenrola Fies programs. Publication in an extra edition of the Official Gazette of the Union confers urgent status to the regulation. Provisional measures have the force of immediate law. They need to be approved by the National Congress within 120 days to become definitive.

The Desenrola Fies program started operating this Wednesday (13). The program allows students to renegotiate debts related to federal student financing, with the possibility of discounts and new payment conditions. According to Ceron, the system started with high demand in the first hours of operation. “We already have a significant number of transactions carried out. There are more than 3 negotiations already carried out, with simulations of more than 15,” he stated. The secretary also said that the initial performance of the program may encourage other defaulting students to renegotiate their debts.

Desenrola 2.0 is the new phase of the program created by the federal government to encourage debt renegotiation agreements for families and students. The initiative seeks to expand access to credit and reduce default rates in the country through discounts, installments, and facilitated payment conditions.

Update:
The report was updated at 9:30 AM to include the amendment to Provisional Measure 1.358/2026.