Cruzeiro to Remain at Mineirão Despite New Restrictions on Betting Advertising

Cruzeiro will remain in its Belo Horizonte home city, with its local government promising the club that the latest ban on gambling advertising on government-owned property won’t impact its use of Mineirão.

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The situation has been occurring since the State Decree No. 49,279/2026, which released rules on betting company advertising on public property such as the Mineirão stadium, which is owned by Minas Gerais state. This measure immediately gave rise to doubts about the commercial arrangements that were to be made by Cruzeiro and its capacity to meet the competition requirements.

Decree Creates Conflict With Competition Sponsorship Rules

The new rules were initially going to prevent Cruzeiro from displaying betting sponsors for competitions run by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), the organisation. The new rules were set to wreak havoc on Cruzeiro’s ability to put up betting sponsors for competitions run by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF). The club may run into trouble if it does not make the change, because there may be a conflict between the state decree and the club’s business requirements at a national contest.

This became a problem on August 21 when the CBF officially sent a letter to Cruzeiro, cautioning them about the continued broadcasting of betting advertisements at Mineirão. The federation stressed that it has the commercial rights to its competitions and that the clubs are obliged to follow the competition rules and regulations, which include commercial property protection as well as official partner protection.

Minas Gerais Government Assures Cruzeiro’s Home Matches

On August 22, Governor Mateus Simões reached out to Cruzeiro president Pedro Lourenço on the effects of the decree and the CBF communication. The club said that Simões had told Lourenço that the new rules would not affect either the team or their fans, and that they would be playing their home games at Mineirão.

Simões also spoke directly to supporters, stating: “Cruzeiro fans have nothing to fear; Mineirão will continue to be Raposa’s home and the games will continue to be played. Our decree is to protect family members of Minas Gerais from gambling addiction, which we know will take time for the current contracts to adjust.”

He added: “I have already spoken with Pedrinho BH and we will conduct this transition together, without any sporting harm to Cruzeiro. But the fight against betting continues firmly, and I count on everyone’s support in this cause.”

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Meeting Planned to Clarify the New Rules

The government and Cruzeiro agreed on a meeting to be held during the next week, which will involve representatives of the club and the Minas Gerais Civil House (civil house is the name given to the secretariat of the State of Minas Gerais).

The meeting is expected to examine the legal and practical consequences of Decree No. 49,279/2026 and establish the necessary steps to guarantee the continued use of Mineirão. Cruzeiro said it remains committed to institutional dialogue while prioritizing the club and its supporters.

Betting Advertising Remained Visible During Flamengo Match

On August 22, Cruzeiro beat Flamengo 2-1 at Mineirão, but betting ads are still being displayed even after the decree has been effective.

The brands of the companies that offered betting services were displayed on electronic advertising boards around the pitch, the goals, and on the substitutes’ benches. According to the administration of Mineirão, the advertising spaces were not part of the stadium’s management, but of Cruzeiro, not allowing the immediate elimination.

But the areas under direct control of Mineirão were adjusted. Betting advertisements were removed from the points of access to the stadium, the video screen was not used for betting promotions, and betting companies did not hold promotional activities with supporters on the esplanade of the stadium.

Cruzeiro will next play at Mineirão on August 25 against Atlético, while the upcoming government meeting will clarify further how betting advertising will work under the new state rules.

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Source: BNL Data