Brazilian President Lula Advocates for Strict Regulation of Online Betting Advertisements

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has announced his intention to tighten regulations surrounding advertisements for online betting operators in Brazil. These statements were made during his appearance on the show Sem Censura, broadcast on the EBC channel. When asked about a potential increase in government control over promotions related to online betting, the president firmly responded: "Yes, I intend to do so."

Towards Equal Rules in Regulated Sectors

Lula emphasized that betting companies should be subject to the same rules as those applied to other regulated sectors. "Everyone must be treated the same way. What is illegal in normal life must also be illegal in other spaces," he stated. The president even expressed a more radical personal opinion, saying he would like to completely ban online betting sites: "If it were up to me, I would ban them all too." However, he acknowledged that such decisions require broader institutional reflection, beyond the sole competencies of the executive branch.

The Limits of Executive Power

Highlighting institutional constraints, Lula mentioned the limits of presidential power in reforming betting laws without the agreement of the National Congress. "I am not the owner of Brazil; I am the president of the Republic. I am one of the three pillars of the institutions that govern the country. I have Congress and the judiciary," he explained.

The president also shed light on the political challenges his government faces in a Congress where the Workers' Party has only 70 members in the Chamber of Deputies and just 9 in the Senate. "We only have 70 members in the Chamber of Deputies and nine in the Senate. We have to negotiate everything we do," he clarified. Lula warned that due to the significant influence of the betting industry within Congress, any attempt at an executive veto could be overturned. "They overturn it," he added.

Progress in the Fight Against Illegal Betting

According to Lula, the Brazilian government has already taken significant steps to limit illegal betting, claiming to have banned over 90% of illegal betting activities in the country. "We have banned over 90% of all illegal betting," he stated. He also mentioned that the Ministry of Economy has created a special secretariat dedicated to supervising this sector.

The president further indicated that no betting operator would be allowed to operate until the end of the year, while the market undergoes thorough analysis. He stressed the importance of distinguishing legal operators from illegal ones. "You must separate serious betting companies from predatory ones. We could allow some of them, but what must never happen again are the so-called 'tiger games'," he asserted.

A Social and Educational Issue

Lula also addressed the social and educational consequences related to the rise of online betting, which he sees as a threat to the population, particularly the youth. "Gambling is a disease and an addiction. It’s extremely addictive; you cannot imagine," he warned. He insisted on the need to combine educational policies with strict restrictions and regulations for betting operators. "There needs to be an educational policy and prohibitions. There must be more restrictions and stricter regulations for betting companies," he added.

Data shared during the show revealed that around 1.3 million young people use betting platforms in Brazil, with a significant portion coming from lower-income populations. The president compared this situation to the time when Brazil resisted gambling for several generations. "This country fought against betting. For centuries, we had no casinos," he recalled.

Lula also mentioned the impact of the expansion of betting on the indebtedness of Brazilian households, citing the government project Desenrola for debt restructuring to assist families.

A Central Issue in Political Debates

As Brazil prepares for the general elections in 2026, the issue of online betting remains a central theme in political discussions. Proposals for advertising restrictions and new legislation are expected to continue fueling debates in the coming months. Lula concluded by denouncing the intrusion of gambling into the daily lives of Brazilians: "Casinos have invaded living rooms, the grandmother's phone that she lends to her grandson, the father's phone that he lends to his son, and children play in secret because people do not realize it."

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