Archive · 26 Sep 2026
Brazil’s Lula Announces Online Betting Ban Amid Tight Race
Brazil’s president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, announced a ban on online betting.
The ban starts immediately.
However, Congress must approve it within 120 days for it to continue.
Government officials say betting is causing serious problems for families.
They say it has reduced household money and increased debt.
Finance Minister Dario Durigan called the issue a public-health problem.
The announcement came before Brazil’s October 4 election.
Senator Flavio Bolsonaro disagreed and said the ban was made for political reasons.
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced an immediate ban on online betting operations in Brazil.
The executive order must receive congressional approval within 120 days to remain in force.
The government said gambling has drained household budgets and contributed to record indebtedness.
Finance Minister Dario Durigan described online betting as a serious public-health problem.
Senator Flavio Bolsonaro called the measure populist, hypocritical and politically motivated.
- Who
- President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva announced the ban; Finance Minister Dario Durigan supported it, while Senator Flavio Bolsonaro criticized it.
- What
- Brazil issued an executive order banning online betting operations.
- When
- The announcement was made on Friday, September 25, ahead of the October 4 first-round vote; the order takes immediate effect and requires approval within 120 days.
- Where
- Brazil, including an announcement in Sao Paulo and criticism voiced at a campaign rally in Rio de Janeiro.
- Why
- The government cited concerns that gambling is draining household budgets, increasing indebtedness and creating a public-health problem.
Government’s Case
Critics’ Case
Public health and household finances
Government’s Case
The government says online betting is a serious public-health issue that drains household budgets and contributes to record indebtedness.
Critics’ Case
Senator Flavio Bolsonaro rejected the measure’s justification and characterized it as hypocritical and politically motivated.
Timing and political motivation
Government’s Case
The government presented the ban as a response to growing concern over gambling and cited survey support for a complete prohibition.
Critics’ Case
Flavio Bolsonaro said the measure was a populist move unveiled as the election approached.
- Measure
- Executive order banning online betting operations
- Effective date
- Immediately
- Congressional deadline
- Approval required within 120 days
- Public support
- Recent surveys showed roughly three-quarters of Brazilians support a complete ban
- Government concern
- Online betting is linked to household financial strain and record indebtedness
- Election context
- The announcement came ahead of the October 4 first-round vote
- Political response
- Senator Flavio Bolsonaro called the measure populist, hypocritical and politically motivated