Brazil’s President Lula bans online betting ahead of presidential election
The order targets a market that drew R$88.4 billion in bets in the first half of 2026 and faces a court challenge from industry groups.
- 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.
205 Articles
205 Articles
Daily Post Nigeria
ghanamma.comBrazil bans sports betting days before presidential election
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has ordered a ban on sports betting websites, a major source of sponsorship for the country’s football clubs, days before the presidential election in which he is seeking a fourth term. The decision comes amid a rapid expansion of gambling in Brazil, with concerns that betting has pushed […] Brazil bans sports betting days before presidential election
Brazil's President Lula banned sports betting sites on Friday, 25 September, accused of promoting family dependency and indebtedness. This decision, supported by 75 per cent of Brazilians,...
Sites and gaming apps will be blocked from October 6th. The president: "We will help those who are in debt." According to CNN, 15,500 jobs are at risk. On October 4th there are presidential elections
Vanguard News
Punch NewspapersBrazil's president bans sports betting days ahead of election
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on Friday banned sports betting sites, the biggest sponsor of the country's football clubs, just days before a nailbiter election in which he is seeking a fourth term.
Brazilian President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva signed a provisional order banning all forms of online gambling, including sports betting and online casinos, less than two weeks before the presidential election.
In a decisive step before the first round of the presidential election, President Lula da Silva of Brazil took new action towards the sports betting sector.
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