Lula calls Brazil online betting ban irreversible ahead of runoff

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on 22 October that online sports betting and casino platforms would not operate in Brazil again, describing the prohibition under Medida Provisoria 1.394/2026 as irreversible, during a YouTube broadcast organised by federal deputy André Janones. The statement came three days before the presidential runoff. The measure's future still depends on Congress and the Supreme Federal Court (STF), the outlet reported.

The government issued the measure on 25 September. It has force of law from publication, but must be examined by Congress within up to 120 days. The joint committee tasked with reviewing the text had not been constituted as the measure approached one month in force, according to the report. Parliament received 99 amendments before the deadline, which expired on 13 October. Several proposals seek to relax the prohibition, and some would keep sports betting while restricting online casino games, so the text could be changed during legislative treatment.

Three direct actions of unconstitutionality are pending at the STF, with Minister Luiz Fux as rapporteur. Fux plans to examine the requests after the runoff, the report said. The Advocate General of the Union defended the continuation of the prohibition in a filing on 6 October.

Flávio Bolsonaro, Lula's rival in the runoff, has contacted Brazilian football officials about the consequences of the prohibition. Reportedly, the senator spoke by telephone with Luiz Eduardo Baptista, known as Bap and president of Flamengo, one day after the government announced the measure. According to three people linked to football and to the candidate's campaign, Bolsonaro said that if elected he would seek a solution for clubs and betting companies, but did not commit to restoring authorisations for the companies to operate again. During the campaign he questioned the prohibition on grounds that it affects legal certainty, companies and sports teams, and argued for distinguishing between online casinos and sports betting. He has not presented an explicit commitment to restore the regulated market if he wins the election.

Flamengo has become one of the main opponents of the measure and joined the judicial process at the STF. The club also used the main advertising space on its shirt to display the message "Prohibir no es proteger" ("Prohibiting is not protecting") in rejection of the government's decision.

During the broadcast, Lula said betting platforms would not return to operate in the country. "Quien quiera ganar dinero, que trabaje" ("Whoever wants to earn money should work"), he said, addressing influencer Nath Finanças. He also called the sector a "plaga" ("plague") and said he decided to act after speaking with indebted young people. The runoff is scheduled for Sunday 25 October. Congress can modify or reject the provisional measure, while the STF must resolve the judicial challenges, the report said.