Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has ordered a ban on sports betting platforms, days before the country’s October 4 election, where he is seeking a fourth presidential term.
Finance Minister Dario Durigan announced the measure alongside Lula, saying deposits into betting platforms would no longer be allowed. New advertising contracts have also been prohibited, while existing sponsorship deals will become void after October 6.
Sports betting has expanded rapidly in Brazil since regulations were introduced in 2023, with 13 of the country’s 20 top-flight football clubs carrying betting companies as their main shirt sponsors.
The government says 85 betting licences have been issued, each costing 30 million reais, while more than 60 billion reais has reportedly flowed from families to legal betting operators.
Lula defended the decision as necessary to address gambling-related social problems, describing betting as a “cancer”, The measure, however, still requires congressional approval to become permanent.
The move has drawn criticism from football clubs and betting industry groups, which warn that the ban could hurt sports financing, cost jobs and tax revenue, and push gamblers towards illegal betting platforms.
Former President, Jair Bolsonaro, also criticised the decision, accusing Lula of introducing an “election-driven” measure ahead of the polls.
The National Association of Games and Lotteries said stronger regulation and oversight, rather than a complete ban, would be a more effective way to control the industry.
