Flávio Bolsonaro signals bet-sector fix but stops short of restoring authorisation

Senator Flávio Bolsonaro told Flamengo president Luiz Eduardo Baptista that, if elected, he would find a solution for clubs and betting houses, according to a Folha de S.Paulo report. The report said he did not commit to restoring the authorisation for betting companies to operate. It was reported that centrão lawmakers are already weighing releasing bets after the election.

The Folha de S.Paulo report was based on accounts from three people linked to football and to the campaign, all of whom confirmed the contact and its limit. The call took place one day after the publication of MP 1.394/2026, according to the report. BNLData said Flávio Bolsonaro argued that a prohibition made "com uma canetada" harmed legal certainty, clubs and companies in the sector.

BNLData said the senator voted against the regulation of the sector approved in 2023 and, during the campaign, linked Lula to the "jogo do tigrinho". It said his campaign had not answered questions from Folha de S.Paulo sent since 8 October. BNLData also said Flávio Bolsonaro advocates distinguishing virtual casinos from sports betting, and that, Lula was advised before the MP to prohibit only online casinos.

Reportedly, Flamengo is a party to the action challenging the MP at the STF, which is reported by minister Luiz Fux. The club replaced its main sponsorship with the phrase "proibir não é proteger", clubs boycotted a meeting with the government with the discreet approval of CBF president Samir Xaud, and the Fla-Flu match of 11 October became a national protest.

BNLData said the Polícia Federal is investigating whether Flávio Bolsonaro is an indirect partner of lawyer Willer Tomaz, described as the largest bettor in the regulated market in 2025. It said the prohibition has been in force since 25 September, and that a Datafolha survey of 1 October showed 78% of Brazilians in favour of ending bets. A Quaest survey published on Wednesday 21 October put the prohibition of bets level with the package for individual microentrepreneurs (MEIs) at 11% each among government measures recalled by voters.

BNLData said Flávio Bolsonaro finished the first round ahead of Lula with 47.03% of the vote against 45.16%, and that the second round is two days away. It said the MP has reached Congress, where it will be analysed, and that the STF is hearing the challenges to it.