Lula Defends Betting Ban as Brazil Election Debate Intensifies
Brazil.- 13 October 2026 | www.zonadeazar.com President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has again defended Brazil’s online betting ban and intensified his criticism of the industry’s economic and social impact.
At the same time, Finance Minister Dario Durigan said the future of betting is likely to become one of the central issues in the political debate ahead of the 25 October presidential runoff.
Lula Renews Criticism of Betting
Lula argued that betting disproportionately affects lower-income households and diverts money that should be used for essential family expenses.
The President defended the prohibition and said that while he remains in office, he does not intend to allow household resources intended for basic needs to be channelled into betting platforms.
Criticism of Betting’s Role in Football
Lula also criticised the strong presence of betting companies across Brazilian football.
He argued that the sport was successful long before betting sponsorship became widespread and questioned clubs’ increasing reliance on gambling-related revenue.
Clubs Should Seek Other Business Models
The President also called for changes to football-club financial management.
In his view, clubs should develop more sustainable corporate structures and alternative revenue streams instead of depending heavily on betting operators.
Durigan Describes a “Plebiscite”
Finance Minister Dario Durigan, one of the economic spokespeople for Lula’s re-election campaign, said the Government’s decision had effectively created a political and social “plebiscite” over whether betting should remain in Brazil.
He suggested voters could use the election debate to consider whether they want the industry restored or kept prohibited.
Market Had Been Regulated in 2023
The dispute follows a major reversal in Government policy.
Brazil had regulated fixed-odds betting and authorised companies to enter the formal market.
Provisional Measure 1.394/2026 subsequently prohibited sports betting and online gaming.
R$30 Million Per Licence
Authorised companies paid approximately R$30 million for each federal licence, alongside significant investment in technology, compliance, marketing and local employment.
That abrupt reversal has become one of the industry’s main arguments in its legal-certainty challenge to the ban.
70,000 Illegal Sites Blocked
Durigan also highlighted enforcement against the black market.
According to the minister, approximately 70,000 illegal betting websites have been blocked since the regulation process began.
The Government says action against unlicensed platforms will remain a priority even after the shutdown of the regulated market.
Betting Moves Into Election Campaign
The future of betting is now moving directly into Brazil’s presidential campaign.
While Lula is defending the prohibition, Flávio Bolsonaro has criticised the measure and argued that it undermines legal certainty for companies previously authorised to operate.
Centrão Seeks Alternative
Meanwhile, members of the Centrão are preparing for potential negotiations in Congress after the runoff.
One option under discussion would keep online casino prohibited while restoring regulated sports betting.
The talks involve lawmakers close to betting operators, football clubs and sporting organisations.
Congress Remains Decisive
The Provisional Measure must pass through Congress if its effects are to remain permanent.
The election result will therefore not be the only factor shaping the sector’s future, with parliamentary negotiations remaining critical.
Supreme Court Also Key
The prohibition also remains under judicial review.
Industry associations have taken the case to the Federal Supreme Court and are challenging both its constitutionality and its economic consequences.
Next Steps or Impact
The comments from Lula and Durigan confirm that betting has become a major political issue in Brazil’s presidential campaign.
The industry’s future now depends on three fronts: the election result, Congressional consideration of the Provisional Measure and pending Supreme Court decisions.
A middle-ground option —restoring sports betting while continuing to prohibit online casino— is beginning to gain political traction in Congress, although no final legislative proposal has yet emerged.
Editó: @fonta
