Lula bans online betting in Brazil days before presidential election

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva announced a ban on online betting and casinos just over a week before the first round of the presidential election, in which he is seeking a fourth term.

Lula signed the provisional order on Friday, prohibiting all sports betting and online casinos. New deposits are already barred, while existing funds can be withdrawn until 5 October.

The measures must receive congressional approval within 120 days to remain in force. Lula also signed a bill creating criminal offences linked to fixed-odds betting, the most common form of online sports betting.

Lula links betting to family losses

Online gambling was legalised in Brazil in 2018. Lula said the industry had expanded without adequate regulation and that addiction had caused families to lose income. He called the sector a “cancer” and said companies would not be allowed to profit at the expense of Brazilian families.

The president also said there had been no sufficient restrictions to prevent children and teenagers from accessing betting. A survey by Atlas and Bloomberg published this week found that 59.9% of Brazilian adults support banning internet betting.

Football clubs warn of financial losses

Flávio Bolsonaro, Lula’s election rival and the son of imprisoned former president Jair Bolsonaro, called the crackdown populist, hypocritical and politically motivated.

Grêmio said betting companies had become one of sport’s main revenue sources since betting was legalised. Globo reported that Brazil’s main clubs received 1.1bn Brazilian reais from betting firms in 2025, while the industry took in 62.5bn reais.

Betting industry urges tighter rules

The Brazilian Institute for Responsible Gaming, which represents about 75% of the domestic betting market, said a total ban on fixed-odds betting threatened the industry and potential revenue of 58-73bn reais.

The trade body said the ban would not eliminate demand and could push gamblers towards illegal platforms, where they would lose access to protection mechanisms. It urged the government to strengthen regulation rather than outlaw online and fixed-odds betting.