On October 14, Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed Decree No. 13,138, officially recognizing esports as a sporting activity. The document, published in the country's official gazette, the Diário Oficial da União, marks the successful conclusion of a process following two unsuccessful attempts at categorization in 2017 and 2022-2023.
With this new status, esports disciplines will be integrated into the National Sports System. The Ministry of Sport's policies are expected to cover athlete development, competition support, scientific research, and innovation, as well as issues of integrity, inclusion, and accessibility. However, the decree does not provide automatic subsidies or scholarships — government funding will depend on the conditions of specific programs and the available budget.
This recognition grants the industry access to a broader range of investments and tax reliefs. Such a step is particularly timely given the recent ban on betting websites in the country, which caused many organizations to lose key sponsors. Furthermore, according to digital rights lawyer João de Senzi, the new rules could significantly alter the employment relationship between clubs and players.
Despite the integration into state structures, the government does not plan to interfere with tournament management. Cadu Albuquerque, National Director of Esports at the Ministry of Sport, emphasized that publishers and tournament operators will not need to change event formats, calendars, or their commercial models.
Community representatives received the news with optimism, albeit with varying levels of expectations. Brazilian streamer Daniel "Daniels" Marcon called it an incredible step forward that will positively impact the country's performance in League of Legends, CS, and Valorant world championships in the coming years. On the other hand, former CBLOL coach João Pedro "Dionrray" Barbosa urged caution, calling the decree just the "first step" on a long road to broader public acceptance, though he agreed it will help further professionalize the scene and dispel any lingering prejudices.
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