Brazil's Lula promotes popular betting ban within days of tight election

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has imposed a crackdown on fixed-odds betting just nine days before the first round of the country's presidential elections. The ban, which comes into effect within 120 days, targets all platforms involved in betting operations, offering and intermediation, as well as advertising. The measure has garnered support from Lula's political rivals, as it aligns with public opinion, with polls showing more than 70% of Brazilians favoring the ban.

The government has removed 506 websites allegedly in violation of the ban, and it claims the measure will positively impact the economy and mental health of its citizens. However, the ban may face challenges in court and in Congress, as betting companies prepare legal challenges. Despite the opposition, Lula maintains that the ban is a necessary step to combat the growing addiction to online gambling, a problem that affects millions of Brazilians.