Brief
Lula bans fixed‑odds online betting days before Brazil's election
The ban, announced on Friday, targets all betting platforms and must be approved by Congress within 120 days.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed an executive order on Friday that bans all fixed‑odds online betting platforms, nine days before the first round of the presidential election.
The government said it had already taken down 506 websites that continued to offer the service. The order halts offering, intermediation and advertising of betting and will remain in force only if Congress approves it within 120 days, with no judicial objections reported.
Support for the measure crosses party lines; even rival Flávio Bolsonaro’s camp has voiced backing, seeing it as a potential decisive factor in the tightly contested vote.
Leandro Valdivia, a 38‑year‑old former online gambler now in recovery, told Independent that the ban could help addicts like him, though he worries judges and Congress may struggle to keep it in place.
Key facts
- Lula signed an order banning all fixed‑odds online betting platforms. (independent.co.uk)
- The government removed 506 websites that continued to offer betting services. (independent.co.uk)
- The ban requires congressional approval within 120 days to stay in effect. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Brazil's Lula promotes popular betting ban within days of tight election”
