Lula bans fixed-odds sports betting ahead of Brazilian elections
President Luiz Inácio da Silva orders an immediate ban on online sports betting and casinos, citing addiction and economic harm.
President Luiz Inácio da Silva orders an immediate ban on online sports betting and casinos, citing addiction and economic harm.
KEY TAKEAWAYS- Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has signed a provisional executive order that immediately bans fixed-odds sports betting and online casinos.
- The ban is a significant political move just over a week before the first round of Brazil's presidential election.
- Polls suggest the ban enjoys widespread support among Brazilians.
- [theguardian.
Immediate ban on online gambling
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has signed a provisional executive order that immediately bans fixed-odds sports betting and online casinos. The measure, which comes into force right away, prohibits the operation, intermediation, and advertising of these services. Users are given until October 5 to withdraw their funds from betting platforms.
The order must be approved by Congress within 120 days to remain in effect. Lula described the decision as a 'hard, drastic and necessary measure' to tackle the pervasive problem of families falling into debt due to gambling addiction. He likened the industry to 'cancer' in a speech in São Paulo, stating, 'It’s like cancer, you take out the tumour, or the tumour will kill us.'
Political context and opposition
The ban is a significant political move just over a week before the first round of Brazil's presidential election. Lula's main rival, Flávio Bolsonaro, has accused the president of using the ban as an 'electoral measure' and a 'populist' move. Bolsonaro's father, former President Jair Bolsonaro, oversaw a period where online betting grew without regulation.
Lula has previously criticized the industry at the United Nations General Assembly, accusing it of 'transforming addiction into profit' and 'destroying homes.' He noted that the online gambling industry was legalised in 2018 under former President Michel Temer but grew unchecked during the Bolsonaro administration. Lula also stated that there were 'no restrictions' preventing children and adolescents from accessing online betting.
Public support and economic impact
Polls suggest the ban enjoys widespread support among Brazilians. A survey by Atlas and Bloomberg found that about 59.9% of Brazilian adults support banning internet betting. The government estimates that betting and gambling cost Brazilian society 38.8 billion reais (approximately £5.6 billion) annually and contribute to increased suicide and depression rates.
The central bank estimated last year that Brazilians spend about 30 billion reais on bets each month. Lula's government has previously blocked more than 2,000 online betting websites designated as irregular, including some linked to criminal organisations. The move is part of a broader effort to regulate the sector and address a public health crisis, as many Brazilians are addicted and in financial difficulties due to spending on these platforms.
Sources and context
theguardian.com — Lula bans fixed-odds sports betting a week before Brazilian elections
bbc.co.uk — Brazil's Lula bans online gambling ahead of presidential election
