Lula says he would close Brazil’s bookmakers if decision were his
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said he would close bookmakers if the decision were entirely his, while questioning the scale and effects of betting in the country. He said he was considering whether to end betting or regulate it so fewer operators could operate; his comments come as gambling policy receives greater attention ahead of the 2026 election.
Lula’s comments signal potential political pressure for changes to Brazil’s betting framework.