- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has announced a ban on online gambling and fixed-odds sports betting just over a week before the first round of the presidential election.
- Lula signed a provisional order on Friday that "prohibits all sports betting and online casinos", effective immediately but requiring congressional approval within 120 days.
- Earlier this week, at the United Nations General Assembly, Lula accused the industry of "transforming addiction into profit".
- Flávio Bolsonaro criticized the gambling crackdown as "populist, hypocritical and politically motivated" during a campaign rally in Rio de Janeiro.
- Online betting was legalized in Brazil in 2018 under President Michel Temer, but has since been blamed for widespread household income losses due to addiction.
- In December 2023, Lula signed a law to regulate and tax betting companies for the first time.
- Lula's administration has blocked more than 2,000 irregular betting websites as part of a national push to regulate the sector.
Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has taken a decisive step against online gambling, banning it just a week before the presidential election. Lula described the industry as a "cancer", stating, "either we remove the tumour, or it kills us". The ban, which includes fixed-odds sports betting, aims to address the addiction crisis affecting Brazilian families.1
The provisional order prohibits new deposits into betting accounts and allows users until October 5 to withdraw their funds. Lula emphasized the need for regulation, noting that online betting grew unchecked under former President Jair Bolsonaro. He stated, "We won't allow betting companies to profit at the expense of Brazilian families' income and lives".2
The gambling industry, legalized in 2018, has been linked to significant household income losses and is estimated to cost Brazilian society 38.8 billion reais (£5.6 billion) annually, contributing to increased rates of suicide and depression. Recent polls indicate that the ban has widespread support among the public.
Lula's main rival, Flávio Bolsonaro, accused him of using the ban as an "electoral measure". The new measures must receive congressional approval within 120 days to remain effective, as Lula seeks to secure his fourth term in office.4
“The ban, which takes effect immediately, prohibits new deposits and gives users until October 5 to withdraw funds. A recent Atlas/Bloomberg poll shows 59.9% of Brazilian adults support the ban, while Flávio Bolsonaro calls it 'populist, hypocritical and politically motivated'.”
bbc.com
The Guardian
