Overview
- Banks were required to repay retained bets balances after operators sent per-CPF records on October 7–8 and carried out automated restitutions during a seven-day window that closed on October 14.
- Any amounts banks could not return because of incomplete data or closed accounts will be moved to a dedicated Caixa Econômica Federal account starting October 14, and Caixa will oversee remaining payments to claimants.
- The government says roughly R$1.325 billion is at stake for about 26.5 million bettors, with many accounts holding only cents and larger sums flagged for extra checks.
- Authorities warned consumers to keep deposit proofs and screenshots and to use official channels to avoid fraud while the Ministério da Fazenda and Caixa publish formal instructions; about 40 CPFs are under investigation for possible irregularities including money laundering.
- The shutdown follows Medida Provisória 1.394/2026, signed September 25, which bans bets operations and must be approved by Congress by October 25 to remain in force, highlighting tensions between consumer-protection goals and the sector’s fiscal importance.