Lula bans sports betting in Brazil, days ahead of crunch election
Brazil President bans sports betting sites, the biggest sponsor of the country's football clubs, just days before a nail-biter election. Leer más
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva banned sports betting sites on Friday, just days before a closely contested election where he is vying for a fourth term. The ban, announced alongside Finance Minister Dario Durigan, comes as opinion polls show strong opposition to the gambling industry, which Lula has labeled a "cancer."
The ban prohibits money deposits on betting sites, immediate bans on new advertising contracts and voids existing contracts after October 6. Lula emphasized that the industry's growth has led to gambling addiction issues, costing Brazil over 60 billion reais (US$11 billion) annually. Football clubs in Brazil, which are heavily sponsored by betting companies, expressed concern over the move, warning it could impact various aspects of sports.
Bolsonaro, Lula's main rival, criticized the ban as a populist, election-driven measure. The National Association of Games and Lotteries, representing licensed betting operators, warned that prohibition could drive gamblers to illegal platforms and result in a loss of tax revenue and jobs.
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