Edinho Silva backs gradual withdrawal of betting firms from Brazilian football
Regulation2 min read
Brazilian Workers' Party president Edinho Silva called for a transition period to remove betting companies from football funding, saying the view was his own and not a collective party position. He warned that a ban could push online betting towards illegal platforms and said a judicial decision could enable a transition that protects affected parties.
Edinho Silva, national president of Brazil's Workers' Party (PT), has called for a transition period before betting companies are removed from the financing of Brazilian football. Silva said the view is his personal opinion, as the party has never formulated a collective position on the subject.
The ban on online betting games in Brazil was reportedly formalised by provisional measure MP 1.394 of 25 September 2026, a decision by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Silva said he agrees with the measure but warned of a side risk, namely the migration of betting to clandestine platforms. He said illegal gambling could be taken over by organised crime and used as a tool for money laundering.
In Silva's assessment, the exit of betting companies from sport should be gradual and take into account the economic effects on clubs and the wider football industry. He said that, once the court question is settled, it will be possible to set up a transition process that preserves the rights of those involved. Silva also repeated that protecting the income of Brazilian families should remain at the centre of any decision on online betting. He said he supports Lula's decision to act by provisional measure.
The interview put to Silva the argument that sports bodies, mainly football clubs, argue they need more time to adapt and find other sponsors.