Vitória president says Brazil's betting restrictions threaten R$45m sponsorship plan, costing R$3m a month

Fábio Mota, president of Brazilian Série A club Vitória, has warned that the government's sudden restrictions on betting have created a serious financial problem for the Bahia-based side. According to Mota, the measures took effect with no transition period that could have protected existing sponsorship agreements.

Mota said the club has lost R$3 million a month since the restrictions began. Vitória had built its budget around R$45 million in betting sponsorships and must now restructure its finances without that expected income. He said a three-month transition would have allowed clubs to adjust, or would have given betting companies time to meet their contractual obligations. The club's sponsorship deal had been due to run until December 2027, he noted.

The impact extends beyond shirt sponsorship. Mota said advertising boards shown during match broadcasts can no longer generate betting-related revenue. He put the combined value of those boards and the betting company deals at R$9 million this year, rising to R$45 million next year under the existing contract.

The president also raised the risk of sanctions if the club cannot meet its financial commitments. He said failing to pay obligations such as the CRND, labor agreements or the Perse programme could lead to consequences including a transfer ban. Combined with R$15 million owed to Grêmio, he described the situation as a bomb that could explode by December next year.

Vitória is seeking new commercial partners and considering selling some valuable players to close the gap. Mota said replacing the betting money will be difficult because other sectors pay far less. In his words, the betting market paid three times more than other sponsors.

The case illustrates the financial strain facing Brazilian clubs whose budgets and long-term contracts relied on betting revenue that has now stopped. The report originated with iGaming Brasil.