The Brazilian government’s decision to end online betting has reportedly divided President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s campaign team. The report says the dispute arose within his inner circle as the presidential campaign approached.
The reported division signals disagreement within the president’s campaign over the government’s online betting decision.
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Brazilian betting and online casino representatives voiced concern after President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said he was personally willing to end gambling, according to the report. No government measure or publication timetable had been set; industry representatives said online casinos account for about 70% of betting-sector revenue.
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva renewed his criticism of betting companies and said he would favour ending the activity, while acknowledging opposition in Congress. He cited BRL7.3 billion in gambling revenue for the government in the first half of 2026; research cited in the report estimates unauthorised operators account for 38% to 44% of betting activity.
Reportedly, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva urged ending online betting in Brazil unless operators demonstrate a social benefit. He acknowledged congressional opposition to tighter restrictions. He gave no specific measures or timetable for closing the sector.
Brazil's Superior Electoral Court admitted a case brought by the Novo party alleging political and economic abuse by the Lula-Alckmin presidential ticket in the 2026 election. The case cites Provisional Measure 1.394/2026, which banned fixed-odds betting platforms, but the decision only opens proceedings and does not rule on the allegations; the case will proceed to the court's plenary after evidence is considered and the electoral prosecutor responds.
Brazil's Superior Electoral Court (TSE) has admitted a case brought by the Novo party, which accuses the ticket of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and Geraldo Alckmin of abuse of political and economic power in the 2026 presidential elections. The decision was taken by Ricardo Villas Bôas Cueva, the electoral justice inspector-general and a minister. It only opens the proceedings and does not rule on the merits of the request.
Only 11% of voters who heard recent government advertisements recalled the online betting ban, according to a Quaest survey published on 21 October, down from 64% approval among those aware of the measure in an earlier Genial/Quaest poll. Lula's references to online betting fell from an average of 11 per video in the first round to four in the runoff.
Brazil's ban on regulated online betting lost prominence in the runoff campaign of President Lula da Silva, according to a Quaest survey published on 21 October. Only 11% of respondents who had heard recent government advertisements recalled the online betting ban, the survey found. An earlier Genial/Quaest poll, published on 14 October, had recorded 64% approval among those aware of the measure.