Brazil’s President Lula bans online betting ahead of presidential election
The order blocks new deposits and gives bettors until Oct. 5 to withdraw funds as Congress weighs whether to keep the ban.
- On Friday, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed a provisional executive order banning fixed-odds betting, designed to tackle families falling into debt ahead of next week's presidential election.
- Officials claim the ban addresses public health crises and economic drainage, citing a 2025 study showing betting costs Brazil 38.8 billion reais annually and increases suicide and depression rates.
- Brazil's main soccer clubs warned of financial ruin after betting companies reportedly threatened to terminate sponsorships immediately if the government proceeded with the ban.
- Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, Lula's main rival in the upcoming election, accused the leader of an "electoral measure," though polls show widespread public support for the ban among Brazilians.
- The provisional order takes effect immediately but requires congressional approval within 120 days to remain in effect; users must withdraw funds from platforms by October 5.
172 Articles
172 Articles
Lula Bans Sports Betting and Online Casinos Nine Days After Brazil's Election: "They're Like Cancer"
The decree prohibits "exploiting, bidding, mediating and advertising" sports betting or online casino games "all over the national territory." More information: Parliamentary Revés a Lula: Brazilian Congress approves the reduction of Bolsonaro's beating sentence
Lula made the ban on the “bets” his electoral battlehorse in recent days.
Online gambling is banned in Brazil with immediate effect. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio ‘Lula’ da Silva issued a presidential decree on Friday...
berlingske.dk
Aggressive marketing for online sports betting sites has put many Brazilians into debt in recent years.
Algemeen Dagblad
Online gambling is banned in Brazil with immediate effect. Brazilian President Luiz Inácio ‘Lula’ da Silva issued a presidential decree on Friday making it impossible to deposit money on gambling sites.
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