In a recent meeting at Grupo Globo's headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, Flávio Bolsonaro, Brazil's presidential opposition candidate, informed the media giant's leadership that Congress is poised to reinstate online betting. This statement was made during a luncheon with Globo chairman João Roberto Marinho and vice president of institutional relations, Paulo Tonet, just hours before a live interview on TV Globo. The discussion primarily centered around betting issues.
The meeting was reported by Metrópoles and also included Sen. Rogério Marinho (PL-RN), who leads Flávio's campaign. Globo confirmed the luncheon took place, clarifying that no members from its journalism team were present and that visits from candidates to media executives are routine. They noted that this was Flávio's second visit to the network, following an earlier meeting prior to the official campaign kickoff. The statement indicated that if Lula had requested, he too would have had the opportunity to meet with Globo.
Globo is a co-owner of Boa Lion, which operates BetMGM in Brazil alongside MGM Resorts International. This venture received its federal licensure in December 2024 and launched in February 2025. The network had previously seen a ban on betting advertisements and sponsorships on its platforms, resulting in significant income loss since competing offers from other companies are considerably smaller.
The timing of the lunch sparked concern among Lula’s team, coinciding as it did with Flávio’s interview. At a rally in Ipatinga, Minas Gerais, Lula criticized Globo and emphasized the gambling ban as a point of contention, claiming he was responsible for bringing an end to gambling practices in the country. Flávio has expressed intentions to regulate the online gambling sector rather than close down betting shops, which he believes can be controlled. Notably, neither candidate addressed the gambling ban during their initial debate aired on Band. Datafolha’s latest polling from October 15 indicates Flávio with 51% voter support, while Lula trails slightly with 49%.
Regarding legislative action, as of October 13, lawmakers had submitted 99 amendments to Provisional Measure 1,394, though the joint committee tasked with reviewing the measure had yet to appoint a chair or rapporteur by October 14. The committee is essential since the measure will block further progress on Congress's agenda starting November 9. The first 60-day term for the measure concludes on November 23, with the possibility of a single 60-day extension. Notably, federal betting licenses are set to expire on October 25, coinciding with the day of the runoff election.
