Meridian Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: MRDN), a Las Vegas-based international developer and operator of online gaming platforms, announced that the Brazilian provisional measure prohibiting online betting and casino services will have an immaterial effect on its group revenue. The measure, signed by Brazil’s President on September 25, 2026, bans the operation, intermediation, and advertising of online betting and requires funds to be returned to bettors. The company disclosed the update through NEWMEDIAWIRE.
The provisional measure took effect immediately upon publication in the Diario Oficial da Uniao and carries the force of law. It is valid for 60 days, extendable once for another 60 days, and must be approved by the Brazilian Congress within that period to remain in effect. Meridian Holdings stated it has been and continues to be fully compliant with the measure and all applicable regulatory requirements in Brazil.
Meridian Holdings operates in Brazil through its subsidiary Meridian Gaming Brasil SPE Ltda, which holds authorisation SPA/MF nº 0086/2024, granted by Portaria SPA/MF nº 526 of March 14, 2025, for fixed-odds sports betting and online gaming. That authorization is valid until December 31, 2029. The company entered the Brazilian market conservatively and did not commit large-scale marketing expenditure in advance of licensing, which limits its exposure to the measure. Brazil represents an immaterial share of Meridian Holdings’ group revenue, the company said.
The company is reviewing the provisional measure and its implications with Brazilian and United States legal advisers. Meridian Holdings emphasized that its business spans over 25 international regulated markets, reducing reliance on any single jurisdiction. Its B2C division, Meridianbet Group, is an online sports betting and gaming operator founded in 2001 and licensed across Europe, Africa, and South America. The B2B division includes game developer Expanse Studios and iGaming platform GMAG, which develop, license, and distribute proprietary gaming platforms and content globally.
Investors can find more information at www.meridian-holdings.com or through the company’s filings with the SEC at www.sec.gov. The company’s forward-looking statements note risks including the ultimate legislative outcome of the provisional measure, the need for additional financing, and reliance on third-party gaming content.
This development matters because it tests how a publicly traded gaming company manages sudden regulatory shifts in a key emerging market. While the ban is provisional and subject to congressional approval, its immediate enforcement could disrupt operations for less diversified competitors. Meridian Holdings’ conservative entry and broad geographic footprint may shield it from significant financial harm, but the situation underscores the regulatory risks inherent in the global online gaming industry.
