The Ministry of Sports of Brazil has formalized a new control mechanism over resources that the State transfers to national sports entities. Through Ordinance MESP No. 6, the government created a direct institutional channel with Caixa Econômica Federal (CAIXA) to expeditiously suspend the disbursement of funds from lotteries when an organization fails to comply with current legal requirements.
Read also: Egypt blocks online betting platforms and prepares new law to regulate digital gambling
The measure complies with Ruling No. 2331/2025 of the Federal Court of Accounts (TCU) and is based on the General Sports Law (No. 14.597/2023), the Pelé Law (No. 9.615/1998), and Decree No. 7.984/2013.
How the mechanism works in Brazil
The process begins with the Certification Directorate of the Executive Secretariat of the Ministry of Sports of Brazil. When this body identifies that an entity does not have a valid certification, has been rejected, or its accreditation has been canceled, it has five business days to formally notify Caixa Econômica Federal. The bank, in turn, must confirm the suspension of payments within a maximum of 48 hours.
The notification must include the legal name of the organization, its CNPJ (tax identification number), the status of its General Sports Certification, and the administrative process number that motivated the decision. It must also cite the applicable legal provisions and expressly invoke Article 23 of Law No. 13.756/2018, which regulates the use of lottery revenue allocated to organizations such as the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB), the Brazilian Paralympic Committee (CPB), and other entities of the national sports system.
What is required to receive public funds
The regulation recalls that sports organizations in Brazil must meet strict conditions to access transfers from the federal government or lotteries. Article 36 of the General Sports Law requires, among other requirements, proven financial solvency, tax compliance, director mandates limited to four years with a single consecutive reelection, transparency in management, and adherence to the National Sports Plan.
Read also: Spain: The digital game gains ground and reconfigures the market
Article 60 of the same law adds that the statutes of organizations must ensure the representation of athletes in governing bodies and electoral processes. Articles 18 and 18-A of the Pelé Law also impose similar conditions, including being up-to-date with tax and labor obligations.
What happens when restrictions are lifted
The suspension of transfers does not have a fixed expiration date: it remains in effect until the Ministry of Sports of Brazil sends a new communication confirming the regularization of the affected entity. For this to occur, the organization must undergo a new administrative review that respects due process.
The Certification Directorate will maintain a systematized record of all communications sent to Caixa Econômica Federal, ensuring traceability and transparency in each decision. The ordinance also clarifies that its application does not prevent authorities from taking other administrative or legal measures, including communications to control bodies, when relevant irregularities are identified in any entity of the National Sports System in Brazil.
Read also: Brasil: Lula da Silva toughens controls against online betting sites
